Costume Design - Oedipus

Tiresias: Blue represents calm and stability. Tiresias would b dressed in blue because he is a seer, someone who can prophesize and guide people though his revelations. his words seem to be the only words that everyone had trusted up until he revealed the truth to Oedipus, whose own hard headedness got in the way. His words provide stability because they are trusted, so people can hold onto them.

Creon: Purple is the color of royalty used time and time again in literature. Creon would be wearing purple because 1) he is the brother of the queen, and third in line for the throne, and 2) will be next king (foreshadowing his rise to power).

Jocasta: Gray is a color that symbolizes maturity and sorrow. This color is perfect for Jocasta because the revelation only brings sorrow into her life, sorrow so unbearable that she winds up taking her own life. Maturity also plays a role because she seems to keep Oedpius calm and helps him see the bigger picture, dispelling his doubts for as long as possible.

Oedipus: Black is a color that represents death, so it would only be fitting that Oedipus wore black. His life began with a prophecy that concluded he would cause death to those closest to him. He wound up killing his own father, and causing harm to those around him. The truth of his life ultimately also caused the suicide of Jocasta, who could not live with her guilt.

Shepard: Green because green is seen as the color of nature and a healing color. The shepherd would be wearing this color because the revelation he gives (where he finally has Oedipus realize the truth of his birth and life) finally “sets things straight”, and heals the disarray and confusion. He also lives out in the fields, so he works with nature.

Messenger: Orange represents balance and enthusiasm. This color is perfect for the messenger because at first he comes thinking his bringing good news: that Oedipus will be the king of Corinth. He, however, does just the opposite.

Jocasta's Diary

Dearest Diary,

My heart feels as though it is truly breaking within my chest. I feel as though I am withering away.  The state of Thebes is appalling – stillborns, mothers dying, no crops.. how can I survive when the pain in my chest is overflowing. It serves as a reminder to my past, as well; every mother who loses a child reminds me of my own loss of my ill-fated baby.

And oh, how can I dispel the words by old Tiresias and the Prophets? I told Oedipus "so much for prophecy, it's neither here nor there. From this day on, I wouldn't look left or right." (948-949). Although their words pain me (how can my dearest husband be at fault for such a horrid thing), they have always been revered and admired. Laius, rest his soul, trusted Tiresias with his entire being… should I dishonor him in such a way, by not trusting Tiresias as well? His words pain me. I feel however, that I would be doing a disservice to my people and my own conscience if I completely dispel what he is saying, without even considering it.

My brother is another sore spot. Being accused by my own husband of attempted assassination? My dear Creon would never. I must talk sense into Oedipus, and urge him to spare Creon and listen to him, if it’s the last thing I do. I pleaded with him, saying "...honor the solemn oath he swears to heaven. do it for me, for the sake of all your people." (722-724)

What this all boils down to, however, is the fear that this may all be true. My husband’s temper and reluctance to even listen to what others are saying point to something deeper.. maybe he fears it may be true as well. Although i urged him to "free yourself (Oedipus) to free himself of every charge" (789), all the pieces of the puzzle seem to fit… the three roads converging.. the prophecy’s timing…Oedpius might be the downfall of us all. I think he may be.

Sin of Hindering Life due to a Guilty Conscience

*Rhyme is throughout poem*


Drudging solemnly forward through wrath and despair
my guide directed my eyes towards a herd
of men and women sinking quickly into the ground.

At once I heard screams, although slurred,
as the ground swallowed them up, as if they'd drowned
'Do not be alarmed, although these sinners are seldom heard.

These souls are drowning by stones to which they are bound
of guilt from an incident which they have failed to accept.
And from that precise moment, have constantly carried around.

In their hearts this sorrow has been secretly kept
And this weight has held them in the past.
Oblivious to the present, it's almost as if they'd slept.

If you look closely, though you must look fast,
You can see how their body turns to stone
until the weight sinks them at last.

Although not heinous, it's a sin He does not condone.
For to pause your life and stop living
is against what he has taught and we have known.'

I could see now that there are two sides in forgiving
and you must be at peace in your heart.
One's life is squandered is you just keep reliving.

'But sullen is how they've chosen to depart,
and now this is their eternal fate.
I'm sure looking back, they see that was not smart.'

How can he be saying this with his face straight?
Questions in silence I dare not speak.
'It is time to venture forward, we must not wait.'

As I left, I took one last peak
to the souls bound to a foregone mistake,
When suddenly I felt very weak.

I gripped Virgil's shoulder as we crossed another lake
'Do not crumble now, Dante,
For the fate of your soul is at stake.'

This canto would appear in level 5, or the level for wrath and sullenness. The reason for this (the sin) is because this canto depicts the fate of the souls of those who have succumbed to sullenness due to guilt that has held them in the past. They were never able to truly to live after falling into this guilt, and stopped living altogether- they just existed. The punishment for these sinners is that they turn to stone as they walk through hell, and sink into the ground. This fits the crime of guilt consuming their life because just as the guilt held them in place in their life and stopped their life, in a sense, turning to stone stops them and then sinks them into the ground where they are stuck forever.

Interview with Aeneas

 In his first interview following his escape from Troy, Aeneas, hero of the Trojan people,  sat down with  the Weekly Warrior to address the general public with honest answers surrounding his reasoning for fleeing Troy, and other big questions.

WW: This is truly a gift from the gods, being able to speak with such an esteemed warrior as yourself, especially after everything that has happened between Greece and Troy.

A:  The pleasure is all mine, and yes, this is one of the many gifts from the gods.

WW: Speaking of, you were somehow able to make it out of Troy alive, and there has been speculation of divine intervention. Can you clear up any misconceptions about that?

A: Of course. Gods have always intervened in human affairs, sometimes with ill-timing. However, my mother Venus, in addition to providing me with guidance that every mother does, went above and beyond and helped lead me out of Troy, just after cajoling me to spare Helen’s life. 

WW: Why would you consider such an atrocity?

A: After losing Hector, and having seen Priam’s young son and Priam himself be murdered, I couldn’t bare the sight of her, knowing it was she who had been the catalyst for this devastating war.

WW: But Venus calmed you, how like her- she was always very compassionate. Were all the gods as nice as she was?

A: Pallas, actually, was quite the opposite. Sea serpents sent by her took the life of Lacoon, a good man, who tried to uncover the fraud that was the Trojan horse, in order to protect the people. A good man, only wanting to protect his people, and she had him and his sons killed- that truly is monstrous. The majority of the gods are cruel like her, with few exceptions.

WW: You seem to turn very bitter about the gods, surely they can’t be completely invidious?

A: The only thing that quells my distress is the fact that they can’t control fate. It is the only positive thing about the gods collectively – their inability to control fate. Fate, however, has been a dear friend to me. While fighting in Troy with my men, we disguised ourselves as Greeks, but my comrades were discovered and killed, while I got away. That just goes to show that it wasn’t my time. I had heard rumors about Pallas affecting the timing of poor Hector’s fate, which is just another sign that she is truly evil.

WW: Fate has always been a friend to you, it seems.

A: Yes, from escaping death in Troy, to starting fresh again, which I somewhat owe to Hector. Fate is something that calms my fears, knowing that nothing can take me away unless it is my time.

WW: Hector helped how?

A: In a dream before the battle at Troy, he told me of my fate to lead people to a new land where they can start over. My mother (Venus) must have had a hand in helping that play out, seeing as how she was my guide out of the city. Fundamentally, however, it was my fate to seek new opportunities elsewhere, but I was assisted along the way.

WW: This has been a truly eye opening discussion, Aeneas. I can’t thank you enough for clearing up some of the story, and letting us all know what has been going on with you and your mind lately. You’re truly a hero.

A: Thank you, and anytime. I just hope this clarifies things for the remainders of the city of Troy.

POV: Helen and Cassandra

Cassandra’s Lack of Comfort

Hector’s home at last

Distress has not been dispelled

My blood is still dead

Regret and Doubt from the Face that Launched 1000 Ships

As Paris wept for his brother, I contemplate whether my affection is worth the ocean his tears have created.

Point of View: the vantage point or stance from which a story is told; the eye and mind through which the action is perceived and filtered.

I am Achilles

I am Achilles

The Headstrong Runner (The Death of Hector Line 153)

Relative of Peleus (The Rage of Achilles Line 1)

Resident of Greece
Who likes to honor the gods
Who fears his uncontrollable rage (Achilles and Priam Line 126-128)

Who needs assistance and guidance from Athena

Who wishes to avenge Patroclus’ death
Who admires Priam’s bravery and heart (Achilles and Priam 47-50)