Posted by Amanda DeMeo on April 16, 2000 at 17:20:21:
By presenting the details of Oedipus'life out of chronological order, Sophocles creates a tale of suspense, like a modern day murder mystery or soap opera. He begins by introducing dynamic and powerful characters causing the audience to long to be like them. Oedipus is in the position of king and he was able to save his people by solving the riddle of the horrible Sphinx. The common man then gains satisfaction in the knowledge that Oedipus' life is not perfect, as his history and doomed fate begin being revealed. This can cause pleasure in persons who do not posses such a position in their lives. But most importantly, Sophocles follows this story sequence in order to keep and intensify the interest of those who are his audience. He drops clues of Oedipus' history, creating an air of deceit, and concludes with the truth revealed. Because the truth is extremly shocking and forbidden, the characters cannot go on as before. This leads to the death of Jocasta and Oedipus' mutilation. This achieves a sense of completion that audiences can approve of.