Roman Tragedy IV: Seneca’s Oedipus, or Another Odd Complex

Posted byTriumvir ClioPosted inRoman Tragedy, The Romans

Beth tries really hard not to sing that excellent Tom Lehrer song as she once again talks about that boy who loved his mother.

Discussion Prompts
  1. How would you describe Oedipus’s character in this telling?
  2. Which version of the plot do you prefer? Sophocles or Seneca? Why?
  3. What does Seneca have to say about fate?
  4. Do you find the characters in this play to be “stock characters” or are they more well-rounded than that? Why?
  5. Retell this version of the myth from Jocasta’s point of view.

Published by Triumvir Clio

I have a BA in History and Classical Civilization from Loyola University Chicago and an MPH from Western Michigan University. I've been a geometry teacher, a religion teacher, a writing tutor. I'm a writer, a knitter, a dancer, a singer, an actor. And, yes, for fun I like to reread everything that was assigned while getting my classics degree.

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