On the 10th of March, 2009, we watched our third movie, which was Sophocles’ play, “Oedipus Rex”. After watching the movie, I have a clearer picture about the story, especially on the murder of King Laius.
Why did the movie make us understand more about Sophocles’ “Oedipus Rex”? The first reason of it was of course the play was acted out. After watching the movie, it is easier for us to visualize the play.
The second reason was the movie showed more than the play. Before watching this movie, I had watched another movie of “Oedipus Rex” too. However, the movie that I had watched earlier strictly followed the convention of Greek theatre – how the characters are supposed to enter the stage, how chorus should move from right to left or vice versa as they speak, how violent scenes are occurred off stage, etc. After watching that movie, I was still uncertain about what the story is all about.
As for this movie that we had watched on the 10th of March, it did not fully follow the convention of Greek theatre. In fact, it showed lots of scenes that were not supposed to act in the play due to violence. For example, Oedipus’ flashback about the murder of King Laius, Jocasta’s suicide and Oedipus’ self-blinding. In Greek Theatre, violent scenes are supposed to occur off stage. Thus, in the play text of Sophocles’ “Oedipus Rex”, the information regarding the murdering process of King Laius is given through Oedipus, and description of Jocasta’s suicide and Oedipus’ blinding is given through a messenger.
Nevertheless, since the movie showed more than the play, it gave us a clearer picture about the story of “Oedipus Rex”. After watching the movie, I did have a better understanding on the story.
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