Oedipus Rex Essay

640 Words3 Pages
Year 10 Oedipus Rex Essay Introduction and Conclusion writing for essays Introduction The introduction of an essay provides the reader with a quick overview of the argument or discussion that will be developed in the body of the essay. As such it should include the following information: 1. Thesis statement – the position or stance your essay will take derived from key words in the question. 2. The name of the writer, the title of the text and the genre (text type e.g. novel, film, stage play), and the context of production. 3. If necessary interpret key words in the question that may need explaining. 4. Briefly outline the subject matter of the text. 5. Write a clear sentence to outline each of the main points in your essay. 1. The Greek word ‘Tyrannous’ is an absolute ruler who has seized power, not inherited it. He is not a king, since a king succeeds to the throne by birthright; the tyrannous succeeds through intelligence, force, and influence. How does the word ‘Tyrannous’ reflect one of the most powerful ironies of the play? Possible thesis statement: The Greek word tyrannous reflects the ironic nature of both the events and characterization in the play Oedipus Rex. Possible points of argument: Irony of the notion that Oedipus “seized control via intelligence, yet was due to inherit the crown anyway Oedipus’s downfall was a direct result of being blinded to the blind oracle’s words Irony of Oedipus seeing the truth and becoming a great man only when he was blinded to the world and had fallen from greatness 2. Over the entrance to the temple at Delphi are inscribed these words: “Know Thyself”. Defend the statement that Oedipus is the classic example of the man whose central problem is that he does not know himself. Support your ideas with textual evidence. Possible thesis statement: Oedipus, the main character in the play of the

More about Oedipus Rex Essay

Open Document