Oedipus and Ancient Athenians

Ancient Athenians relied upon their belief of Greek mythology to explicate the surrounding world. All aspects of Athenian life reflected this philosophy; the rising and sinking of the sun, the prosperity of the fields and crops, the fortune and future of each individual, even the law and the rulers were moulded or somewhat influenced by the gods. This devotion and adoration evidently influenced all aspects of Athenian culture; Drama is just one example. In 429BC, Sophocles wrote his classic tragedy, Oedipus, in which he characterised his protagonist to represent the contextual beliefs and attitudes of Athenian society. This particular play explores how the gods were set above all mortals, and how those that chose to disregard or challenge their authority would suffer. In the second stasimon (pg 26) it quotes that “The one who speaks and acts haughtily-without concern for justice, without reverence for the sacred nooks of the gods- let a terrible fate seize that man”. This reinforces the Athenian aspect of religion and punishment. A ‘terrible fate’ acted almost like a curse, something that was destined to ruin and torture the individual. Furthermore the script demonstrates the ideology of fortune and fate, and that these prophecies were never unfilled or neglected.
Prior to this passage, Oedipus has been accused by Teiresias of murdering his father and partially accepted this idea within himself. Subsequently further suspicions including committing incest with his mother are aroused. Oedipus’ new apprehension exposes his hubristic nature, providing further characterisation for the audience, and encouraging them to lose faith in their ruler. This is not only because he chose to defy the gods, but also because he must subsequently be punished for his arrogance. The chorus, symbolising the general Athenian opinion advise that “A bad fate chew him to bits”. This weakness threatens his destiny, leaving him vulnerable and therefore unheroic or admirable. These qualities...