Many think that Oedipus Rex is Sophocles' finest play--perhaps the finest tragedy ever written. Others think the lesser-known Philoctetes an even greater play. Did you like Philoctetes better than Oedipus Rex? Not as much? Why? What do you think Sophocles does particularly well in Philoctetes--or, perhaps, not so well?
Thursday, October 17, 2019
Philoctetes (read for Tuesday, October 22)
Many think that Oedipus Rex is Sophocles' finest play--perhaps the finest tragedy ever written. Others think the lesser-known Philoctetes an even greater play. Did you like Philoctetes better than Oedipus Rex? Not as much? Why? What do you think Sophocles does particularly well in Philoctetes--or, perhaps, not so well?
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After reading Philoctetes, I would have to say I greatly prefer Oedipus Rex. I would chalk up my preference to how Oedipus Rex felt much more like a cohesive and satisfying story than Philoctetes. Oedipus Rex is a play I read in High School and really enjoyed, in particular the ending. It was somewhat predicatable but extremely satisfying at the same time. The ending to Philoctetes made sense, but wasn't as satisfying or interesting as Oedipus Rex. I also found Oedipus to be a much more interesting and relatable character than Philoctetes, and didn't really find anything terribly interesting about Philoctetes' experiences.
ReplyDeleteI think that it's mostly personal preference as to which is better, I can't say either is better on any objective measure. Both are written well, but I think that Oedipus Rex is a more suspenseful play, dealing with a much larger picture. Philoctetes takes place almost entirely on Lemnos, and has a much more intimate story. It's a lot more about personal relationships and trust and conscience than it is grand or metaphysical things dealing with the gods and whatever else (even though Heracles does ultimately appear as a god and direct Philoctetes to not let his injury define him.)
ReplyDeleteI'm personally torn between the two - the over-laden irony in Oedipus Rex is an all-around wild ride, however Philoctetes seems a much more accessible and relatable play. I think the better play would be best chosen by circumstance and audience - I feel Philoctetes would fare better in an older crowd, whereas Oedipus Rex would stick with a younger crowd better.
I would have to say that I personally like Philoctetes better than Oedipus Rex. While Oedipus Rex is good in its own right, I feel that Philoctetes accomplishes its goal in a more concise way. Philoctetes is much more straightforward in what it’s conveying, especially with some of the underlaying themes such as the right v. right problem that Neoptolemus goes through throughout the play. Neoptolemus is also presented as a much more likeable character than Oedipus was, with there not being any real negatives about his character. He goes through with the deception that Odysseus tells him to, but he is clearly torn between whether or not he should be doing that as he interacts with Philoctetes. The play also presents more like a more modern play, and it really gives the chorus a more active role in the story of the play rather than being a weird side character, though this integration of the chorus as an active character can also be seen in Oedipus Rex. While Philoctetes and Oedipus Rex are both great plays in their own right, I really just prefer Philoctetes more.
ReplyDelete-Sam Tucker
Oedipus Rex is a great a play, no doubt. For me, Philoctetes was much more enjoyable. Oedipus Rex is, undoubtedly, more exciting in tone with harsh elements of revenge and suspense, but the right vs. right theme of "duty to conscience vs. duty to mission" creates this pleasing experience that really strengthens the ideas of honesty and honor the Philoctetes play. I think Sophocles really does a great job allowing Neoptolemus' character learn empathy for Philoctetes, which causes him to face the reality of his agreement with Odysseus. Another element that I appreciate is that Sophocles doesn't take us all the way to the end of the story. Heracles appears, tells Philoctetes and Neoptolemus what to do, but then they walk towards the boat and the audience is left to imagine how the rest of the events would have unfolded. I like this idea. Of course we're led to believe that all has been made well, but the play doesn't give us all the little details. I know some people don't like this style. They'd rather know exactly what happened, but for me, there is an enjoyable element in the mystery of the unknowable good.
ReplyDelete-Jonathon Fargher
I think both are very good, however I would have to say I personally enjoy Oedipus better, because I enjoy the drama, and the Irony. I understand that the right vs. right theme might be more enjoyable and relaxed to read but in my own opinion Oedipus is just more intriguing and the suspense and dark tone of the story makes me want to keep reading. I Think in Philoctetes, Sophocles does a good job with portraying his morals into the story.
ReplyDeleteLindsey Landenberger
Oedipus Rex was the better play in my opinion. I found the plot more interesting and the character development much more developed. The knowing of a secret throughout the play of Oedipus greatly appealed to me as a reader and it was just a much more intriguing play than Philocretes.
ReplyDeleteAlex Gauer
I liked Philoctetes more than Oedipus Rex. Oedipus was more of a tragedy than Philoctetes that dealt with incest. Philoctetes on the other hand was based on a guy who was left by Odysseus because of a stinky snake bite. The reason why I like this story more than Oedipus was how the story ended the plot was not as depressing than what you’d find in most Greek literature. I like how Sophocles started out with his usual Greek dressing story and turned it into something more pleasing for the audience. In a way this would be the staple plot template to the modern Hallmark chick flick.
ReplyDeleteMitchell Buller
i think both plays are good in their own respects, but if i had to choose one, it would be Oedipus Rex. This is because the story feels more developed and the plot is more interesting in dealing with prophecies that don't come to pass unless the people involved take unnecessary measures to prevent them. as a freshman in college, i researched this play for my theater appreciation course and i found it interesting on how the Greek playwrights specialized in comedy and Tragedy so well, that some of their plays survived and are performed today with more modern theatrics. Philocteses has good morals of the story while Oedipus has a more interesting plot and characters.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Philoctetes more than Oedipus Rex. the overall narrative and language was more easy to follow along. The story overall maybe wasn't as juicy and shocking as the prophecies in Oedipus Rex. I enjoyed the more personal aspect we get from Philctetes, Neopltolemus, and Odysseus. The conflict that Neopltolemus is faced with is intense and full of back and forths. His internal battle of following his commander versus following what he think is right, this made the play a real page turner.
ReplyDeleteI like both plays, but I think I liked Philoctetes a little more than I liked Oedipus Rex. I think I liked Philoctetes more because I am a very black and white person and Philoctetes feels like the conflicts in it are clearer cut than Oedipus Rex. The conflicts feel more like a story than Oedipus Rex and, frankly, I like a good story. Often, the reason I read is to escape to confusion of everyday life...Oedipus Rex, though it displays a series of unlikely events for everyday life, has conflicts that aren't as clear cut which makes the play feel too much like real life. As always, Sophocles' theme is good. I like the theme of morals here which is another reason I like Philoctetes more than I like Oedipus Rex.
ReplyDeleteI think that Oedipus is a very good play but I enjoyed reading Philoctetes more. I feel as if it is more enjoyable to read because it is not as dark and depressing as Oedipus Rex is. I feel as if I get a better understanding of what the characters in Philoctetes feel inside, Neopltolemus faces internal conflict, he has to choose if he should go on with Odysseues plan and trick Philoctetes in order to get him and his bow to fight in the Trojan war or to do whats right and not trick him.
ReplyDeleteNathan Rodirguez
After reading both plays I would have to say that I liked Philoctetes better than Oedipus Rex. Philoctetes has more drama to follow and I think the whole plot of the play is easier to understand (not to mention Hercules is one of my all time favorite stories, so I'm a bit biased). I think that Oedipus Rex was a very well put together play with many good parts, but over all I just think Philoctetes was a more understandable and well put together piece.
ReplyDeleteBy Tabitha Sonne
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