The Poetics of Oedipus and Dana Marschz - 1312 Words

Creon, in Sophocles Oedipus the King, declares to Oedipus that his power ends; none of [his] power follows [him] through life. (Fagles, 652:1677-8) This edict communicates the transience of mortal abilities, and the hubris of those mortals. In the 2008 film Hamlet 2, Dana Marschz perceives himself as an excellent writer producing the work that will save Drama (Hamlet 2, 00:27:58-28:00), which the community loathes for its mediocrity rather than celebrates for its merits. Comparison of the two works demonstrates an erosion of the tragic genre in modern works. Through Aristotles three elements of plot in the Poetics; anagnorisis, hamartia, and the scene of suffering; the similarities and differences of the works becomes clear.†¦show more content†¦The attempts to quarantine the quests only emboldened them. The Shepherd is no more [Oedipus father] than Polybus (Fagles, 638:1114) and he told Oedipus so, hoping to calm his fears in such enlightenment. Furthermore, Polybus paterni ty is what kept Oedipus fear of the prophecy at bay. The truth, rather than calm him, provokes the dreaded ending wrought with fear and loathing. As Brie left Dana, she reveals that he is sterile. This revelation should have been one of relief; he would not be an estranged father limited in visits to his child. Instead, he learns of Bries affair with Gary, a devastating blow to his ego and the elimination of a constant in his life. Concerning the reversals relating to Oedipus and Danas ultimate fate, Oedipus commands Creon to speak to us all (Fagles, 615:105) with his news from the oracle. Because he made the exile of the murderer such a public affair in efforts to unite the citizenry, this act led to the exile of Oedipus their king, an event sure to leave the political structure of Thebes in turmoil. Dana, dissatisfied with the loss of his wife, begins drinking after ten years of sobriety in hopes of relaxing his anxiety. This broken vow leads to a breakdown the morning of the prod uction, wrecking the morale of the actors and forcing the mute Yolanda to make a rousing speech. Oedipus damning reversal came by fulfilling a promise to the citizenry, while that of