The Greek Tragedy and Mythology
Greek tragedy was celebrations that the ancient Greeks partook in the exaltation of their god, Dionysius, and goats. Greek tragedy playwrights dwelt on the mythical stories to pass on social and religious values to their societies. Greek tragedy created fear to those who were disobedient to their gods and subsequent punishment to the victims. The Greek myths served religious justice to contumacy, and as a result, the people were always on alert to here from the gods, through the priests.
Greek tragedy drew the line in its narration and exclusively mirrored the ancient social and political life of the Greeks. Sophocles wrote Oedipus at Colonus at a time when Athen was on its redemption after a military defeat in the hands of the Spartans. The book, ‘Oedipus the King’ unravels the rise and fall of Oedipus, fate and free will deciding his destiny. The fate and free will led to the downfall of Oedipus, and due to shame and humiliation, he, together with his daughter, Antigone, escaped to Colonus. In ‘Oedipus at Colonus,’ the king of Athens, Theseus, welcomes Oedipus, emphasizes, and welcomes him, knowing that Oedipus’ burial site will be a blessing in disguise to Athenians. Athens’ redemption is in the ancient Greek and Spartan war is replicated in border peace that prevailed after the death of Oedipus, in ‘Oedipus at Colonus.’
The Greek tragedy writers wrote about myths and the current social events that took center stage during the ancient Greek period. Disobedience to the gods and their messengers called for severe punishments. Sophocles narrates this in ‘Oedipus the King’ when an oracle’s prediction befalls the house of king Laius of Athens. Having learned that his son would kill him and marry his wife, king Laius ordered Jocasta to kill their son, Oedipus. At the mercies of Jocasta and the servant sent away with Oedipus, he survives. King Laius, attempting to evade the oracle’s predictions, is killed by Oedipus, after an altercation, where Oedipus lost his control. They both did not discover their blood relations, and the death of Laius was the first fulfillment of the oracle. Oedipus later becomes king of Athens after solving the riddle of the Sphinx. He is awarded the queen, who is his biological mother, therefore fulfilling the second prophecy. The whole venture mirrors the religious beliefs of the Athenians and the implications of going against supreme gods.
The Greek tragedy writers dig deep into their myths in an attempt to teach society. They, however, used the myths for social entertainment to educate and pass on social values in the ancient Greek periods. Forms of entertainment inspired the culture of dramatization and creativity in writing. Actors like Sophocles dramatized their plays to the audience. Their stage prowess led to the emergence of other playwrights like Aeschylus, who wrote on the events after the death of Oedipus.
According to fate and free will in the Greek tragedy, it is apparent that a person cannot shape or decide his destiny. Otherwise, Oedipus, who was a royalty, would have shaped his, and evaded the predicaments that befell him. Additionally, trying to run away from your fate does not delay it, no matter the period it takes.
Tragedy in the ancient period was shaped by religious values. The belief in the punishment by the gods is evident that its tragedy was not that unique to ancient Greeks. It was their way of life. On the contrary, modern culture does not believe in tragedy. It is shaped by many religious views that differ massively. Therefore, the difference in cultures shapes both cultures separately. Thus, the differences need to be taken into account.
References
The play, ‘Oedipus the King’ by Sophocles
The play, ‘Oedipus at Colonus’ by Sophocles