#  Hellenic Studies Folio #4 from the Center for Hellenic Studies 

 





December 01, 2020

 

 

   ![Painting of Oedipus, having just gouged out his own eyes, exits the palace and appears before the people of Thebes.](/sites/g/files/omnuum7151/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/chsgreece/files/oedipus-rex-1895.jpglarge.jpg?itok=bAX0FJXn) 

 

 "[Oedipus Rex](https://www.wikiart.org/en/pierre-auguste-renoir/oedipus-rex-1895)" (1895) by Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919); oil on canvas; Private Collection. Image via WikiArt - Visual Art Encyclopedia. ##  Oedipus as a lens on government and society

- In the *Oedipus Tyrannus* of Sophocles, the people of Thebes honored Oedipus as their *sōtēr*, their savior. How can his receiving of such an honor be justified?
- What power do metaphors of disintegration and reintegration have to help us understand social phenomena?
- Why was Sophocles so interested in portraying the incompetent deliberation of kings and tyrants in his tragedies, especially those set in Thebes?

###  A discussion with Gregory Nagy about Oedipus as the potential savior of Thebes

 Video of 20 minutes (watch from 00:00 to 12:30 and from 21:53 to 29:33).

Embed



 



###  Notes from a presentation on themes of disintegration in society, leadership, and romantic love as represented in classical Greek literature, Greek biblical texts, and American popular songs

 Essay of approximately 5,000 words.

   ![A Reverend delivering a speech.](/sites/g/files/omnuum7151/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/chsgreece/files/the_night_of_the_iguana_richard_burton.jpg?itok=H3K4wGKo) 

 

 Still image from *The Night of the Iguana* (1964), with Richard Burton playing the character of Reverend Shannon.  [Disintegration and Reintegration](https://classical-inquiries.chs.harvard.edu/disintegration-and-reintegration/)

###  "Extra credit" video viewing:

 [Lecture by Edith Hall on conceptions of tyranny in Sophocles and Aristotle](https://youtu.be/DqCtZsgbx6w?t=2295); video of approximately 70 minutes (start at 38:15).



 

 

 



 

 

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