Oedipus the King­ Critical Lens Essay (Half­Lens Only)
"There is one thing vital to life, the sincere desire
to find out the truth, however painful it may be."
-Charles Pierce- Adapted
Nov 14­3:29 PM
Oedipus the King­ Critical Lens Essay (Half­Lens Only)
"There is one thing vital to life, the sincere desire
to find out the truth, however painful it may be."
-Charles Pierce- Adapted
Nov 14­3:29 PM
1
Oedipus the King­ Critical Lens Essay (Half­Lens Only)
"There is one thing vital to life, the sincere desire
to find out the truth, however painful it may be."
-Charles Pierce- Adapted
Nov 14­3:29 PM
This quote is all about how the TRUTH BRINGS PAIN!!!
What is the truth that Oedipus seeks?
What pain results from discovering the truth?
Nov 20­8:18 AM
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Oedipus the King­ Critical Lens Essay (Half­Lens Only)
Step I: Pre­Writing
Introduction:
R:
Restate the quote.
E:
Explain what the quote/lens means.
A:
This is proven true in the play OTK by Sophocles.
C:
T:
How does Oedipus show that searching for the truth can lead to pain and
suffering?
Nov 14­3:29 PM
Oedipus the King­ Critical Lens Essay (Half­Lens Only)
Step I: Pre­Writing
Body Paragraph:
Topic Sentence:
In the play, Oedipus' relentless pursuit of the truth leads to trememdous
personal suffering.
Character/Examples:
(pick a pre-writing strategy that works for you!)
Nov 14­3:29 PM
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Step II: Rough Draft Make sure that your BODY PARAGRAPH includes 3­4 ICED'd examples, which include the following:
You have literary elements in your body paragraphs:
Characterization*
Motivation*
Conflict*
Irony
Setting
Foreshadowing
Symbolism
*Must be included!!!
Nov 14­3:31 PM
Make sure that you use TRANSITIONS:
Furthermore
Additionally
In addition
Similarly
Also
Make sure that you use POWER­VERBS:
Illustrated
Depicted
Evident
Seen
Shown
Exemplified
Furthered
Proves
Nov 14­3:39 PM
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Sample Example (includes all necessary pieces)
Upon seeing his name on the gravestone, Mr. Withencroft is
determined to survive past his predicted death date. This is evident
(Power-Verb)
through his decision to stay the night at Mr. Atkinson's home. His motivation to stay alive is what ultimately dictates this choice, but
(Literary Element)
unfortunately he is unable to avoid his fate. Furthermore, (Transition)
Nov 14­3:42 PM
Choose an outlining strategy that works for you!!!
Choice #1:
Element
Element
Example
Example
Connection to Theme
Character
Connection to Theme
Theme
Element
Element
Example
Example
Connection to Theme
Connection to Theme
Nov 14­3:47 PM
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Choice #2:
I:
C:
X 4
E:
Nov 14­3:51 PM
Choice #3:
1. How does one character from the short story prove the
interpretation of the quote? (characterization)
2. What does the character want (motivation)? (in relation to the quote)
3. What gets in the way of what the character wants (conflict)?
(in relation to the quote)
4. What else brings the story to its final outcome (foreshadowing/ symbolism/ irony/ mood/ setting/ resolution)?
(in relation to the quote)
Nov 14­3:52 PM
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1) Explain who Oedipus is and what truth he wants to find out. (Thebes is suffering from a plague, so as a good ruler (characterization), he wants to investigate and find a solution.)
2) Explain Oedipus' motivation in sending Creon to the oracle AND bringing Tiresias to the palace to get answers.
3) Explain the conflicts that come up in Oedipus' search for the truth: Tiresias says that HE is the murderer of Laius. Because Oedipus is so hubristic (very proud), he does not accept this and keeps investigating. (Explain how he sends for the shepherd and
doesn't listen to Jocasta when she tells him to stop looking for
the truth.)
4) Explain the climax­ Oedipus finally learns that he IS the murderer of Laius (in his conversation with the shepherd), and that he DID fulfill the awful prophecy. He experiences a lot of pain in knowing this. Explain what he does­ blinds himself, and banishes himself
from Thebes. The TRUTH that he really wanted has destroyed his
life. (You can also discuss the irony of this!) What he wanted only
brought him sorrow.
Nov 20­7:36 AM
Nov 20­8:35 AM
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