Oedipus Rex is a Greek tragedy by Sophocles, written circa 429 BC. The classic play focuses on hero Oedipus who unwittingly kills his father and marries his mother. The plot and the play inspired the psychoanalytic concept of the Oedipus complex, men falling in love with their mothers, as named and expounded by Sigmund Freud. The play formed part of a trilogy with Oedipus at Colonus and Antigone (chronologically last but written first).
The play itself has become a staple of theater, performed by most major companies and inspiring multiple translations (some in verse) and derivations such as a 1968 film version, operas, a Martha Graham ballet, a Tom Lehrer song, and P.D.Q. Bach's Western parody Oedipus Tex.
References[]
- The 1980 special Here Come the Puppets! features Kermit the Frog reporting on the history of puppetry from the Smithsonian Institution. He visits a set of puppets built and performed by Remo Bufano for the 1931 American premiere of Stravinsky's opera version of Oedipus Rex. Commenting on the tragic visages, Kermit remarks that "as you can see, puppets don't always have an easy life. Do they, Oed?"
- In the Farscape episode "Won't Get Fooled Again," in a scene that takes place within Crichton's mind, Crichton's mom (who is scantily clothed) picks up a book from a psychologist's library and tells him she doesn't understand what the Oedipus complex is. She then asks Crichton (in a sensual tone) to explain it to her and leans in to kiss him.
Connections[]
- Graham Brown played Tiresias in Kings (Broadway, 1976)
- Coral Browne played Jocasta in Oedipus the King (BBC Radio, 1968)
- Christopher Eccleston played Oedipus in Oedipus the King (BBC Radio, 2017)
- Morgan Freeman played the messenger in the musical The Gospel at Colonus (Broadway, 1988)
- Robert Eddison played a member of the Greek chorus in Oedipus the King (TV, 1986) and Tiresias in a BBC Radio version (1987)
- John Gielgud played Tiresias in Oedipus the King (TV, 1986)
- Arthur Hewlett played a shepherd in Oedipus the King (BBC Radio, 1987)
- Ian Holm played Oedipus in "King Oedipus" (BBC Play of the Months, 1972)
- Anthony Jackson played a member of the Greek chorus in Oedipus the King (BBC Radio, 1968)
- Cyril Shaps played a Theban in King Oedipus (BBC Radio, 1992)
- William Shatner played a member of the Greek chorus in Oedipus Rex (1957, filmed version of a Stratford Festival production)
- Patrick Stewart played Creon in Oedipus the King (BBC Radio, 1987)
- Orson Welles played Tiresias in Oedipus the King (1968 film)