Sarah Hardwick

Introduction:  I found selections from past posted midterms regarding the importance of the plot within Sophocles’ tragedy Oedipus Rex.

Midterm Samples 2002
complete exam

Tragedies begin with a problem that is “significant to society, its leaders, or its representatives” (handout).  The resolution of the problem usually involves discovering the truth about a situation, restoring moral control, or attaining justice and the concluding action often ends in death, banishment, or separation. Oedipus Rex is the classic example of tragedy in its purest form.  The kingdom of Thebes is beset by a plague and Oedipus, their king, is determined to ascertain the cause of their misfortune.  His search for the truth leads him to discover that it is his own actions that have brought these troubles to his city.  The play concludes with Oedipus blinding himself and his exile from Thebes and the implication is that this banishment will result in the plague being lifted from Thebes.

The progression of the plot is integral to the success of a tragic work.  All the events must occur in exactly the right order in order for the tragedy to work.  Part of the appeal of Oedipus Rex lies in the manner in which Oedipus discovers the source of all his problems.  If he had been aware that he was murdering his father, we would not be as sympathetic towards him….  So, it is this precise unfolding of events and information to the audience that makes tragedies work. In comedy and romance, it is the general reuniting or unmasking of the disguise that makes that play work.  Because the characters are more stereotypical, we can make assumptions and inferences that move the plot along, with or without the help of the plot.

Midterm Samples 2000
complete exam, ex. 2

            Another characteristic of tragedy that can be identified in the comparison of these three tragedies is in the significance of plot. Plot is considered the soul of tragedy because it is what governs the actions of the characters and provides the needed impact for the audience….  Another example of how the plot can govern the development of a character and audience reaction is in Oedipus Rex. If Oedipus knew he was adopted before he went to the oracle, then he never would have gone to Thebes to avoid the prophecy of killing his father and marrying his mother. Therefore he never would have been considered great for solving the Sphinx’s riddle, and the audience would not see him as a tragic hero because he never would have suffered banishment for murdering the king. The plot is significant to tragedy because it is what makes it a higher, more complex form of literature. The plot governs every aspect of the tragedy, whereas in other genres the humor or the feelings of the characters can cover a bad plot. Tragedy can also be seen as a more significant piece of literature because it requires more seriousness, and a higher level of emotional involvement from the audience.

Conclusion:  The samples successfully illustrate the importance of a well planned and maintained plot within the tragic work.  Each student allowed different insight within the same story, which broadened my concept of the story.  The importance of the plot was brought forth within the selections.