POLITICAL+ANALYSYTS

POLITICAL ANALYSTS


 * **In Oedipus** || **Historically** || **Page/Line** ||
 * * Everyone was happy with Oedipus when he first "saved the day", but backed away when new information came to light about his past. || * America was happy with going to war with Iraq, but after information appeared, (specifically when we did not have proof for weapons of mass destruction) everyone critized the government. || p 448, line 768:
 * Chorus:** "Sir, I have said before and I say again-- be sure that I would have been proved a madman, bankrupt in sane council, if I should put you away, you who steered the country I love safely when she was crazed with troubles. God grant that now, too, you may prove a fortunate guide for us.

p. 467, line 1478:
 * Chorus:** "I cannot say your remedy was good; you would be better dead than blind and living." ||
 * * The people needed a leader because their king had been killed and they were in distress, so Oedipus took control and resolved the problem. || * Often during troubled times, a leader fails the public and the public needs a new leader, such as during the Great Depession or wars. || p 435, line 418:
 * Creon:** "My Lord, before you piloted the state we had a king called Laius." ||
 * * Oedipus was a hero, so he became their king. || * Many US Presidents were war heroes. (Example: Washington, Roosevelt, Eisenhower, etc.) || p 434, line 54:
 * Priest:** "For now this land of ours calls you its savior since you saved it once." ||
 * * The chorus calls on the gods for help. || * At war, countries will ask their allies for help. (Example: US helping Allies in World War II. || p 437, line 205
 * Chorus,** //Antistrophe:// "From these our sufferings grant us, O golden Daughter of Zeus, glad-faced deliverance." ||
 * * Oedipus slanders Creon's integrity by accusing Creon of being a traitor. This accusation has no basis in fact. || * The political election process, whether it be for state or national levels, often involves slandering an opponent's character. There is generally minimal factual basis for the insults. || p 444, line 576:
 * Creon:** "Citizens, I have come because I heard deadly words spread about me, that the king accuses me." ||
 * * Jocasta defends her brother. || * Many European marriage alliances were based on the fact that blood is thicker than water, and that relatives often defend each other. || p 447, line 726:
 * Jocasta:** I beg you, Oedipus, trust him in this, spare him for the sake of this his oath to God, for my sake, and the sake of those who stand here." ||
 * * Oedipus listened to what his people wanted and cared about them. || * This country's government is based on the will of the people. If a leader does not listen to what the people want, he will be elected out of his position. || p 436, line 157:
 * Oedipus:** "And justly you will see in me an ally, a champion of my country and the God." ||
 * * Oedipus punishes himself, and banishes himself. || * Nixon stepped down before he could be impeached. (This looks far more noble then going through the messy process of impeachment.) || p.468, line 1548:
 * Oedipus**: "Drive me from here with all the speed you can to where I may not hear a human voice." ||
 * Oedipus**: "Drive me from here with all the speed you can to where I may not hear a human voice." ||

[|Oedipus Questions.ppt] [|Wikispace Bibliography.doc]
 * Questions PowerPoint:**

We believe that Oedipus was a good leader, because in the end Oedius was the best person for the job, and he cared about what was best for the people and his country. He was honest with his people when he found out he married his mother and he cared about what the people thought and felt. Oedipus might have had his weak pionts, such as being naive, but he didn't let them stand in the way of him ruling to the best of his ability.