Reading Material: Oedipus the King

Introduction: "Oedipus theKing," written by the playwright Sophocles, is one of the most famous tragedies in ancient Greek literature. It tells the story of Oedipus, a man destined for a tragic fate.

Plot Summary: The story begins in Thebes, where a terrible plague has struck the city. The people are suffering, and they turn to their king, Oedipus, for help. Oedipus is determined to save his city and sends his brother-in-law, Creon, to consult the Oracle of Delphi. The Oracle reveals that the plague will end only when the murderer of the previous king, Laius, is found and punished.

        Oedipus, who had previously left his home in Corinth to avoid fulfilling a prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother, begins to investigate the murder. As the investigation unfolds, Oedipus discovers shocking truths. He learns that he did indeed kill Laius in a fight, and his wife, Jocasta, is actually his mother. Realizing the horror of his actions and the fulfillment of the prophecy, Oedipus is overwhelmed with grief and blinds himself in despair.

Themes: "Oedipus the King" explores important themes such as fate versus free will, the search for truth, and the consequences of one's actions. Oedipus's journey illustrates the struggle against destiny and the tragic flaws that lead to his downfall.

Conclusion: This tragedy highlights the features of Greek drama, including the use of larger-than-life characters and the exploration of deep moral and philosophical questions. Understanding "Oedipus the King" will help you see how tragedy reflects human experiences and emotions.

1. astonishing — 令人惊讶的；惊人的

2. propel — 推动；驱使

3. pivotal — 关键的；核心的

4. despotism — 暴政；专制主义

5. imperialism — 帝国主义

6. besiege — 围攻；包围

7. surrender — 投降；屈服；交出

8. enlightenment — 启蒙；启发；启蒙运动

9. triumph — 胜利；成功；凯旋

10. essence — 本质；精髓

11. cosmic — 宇宙的；广大的

12. eventually — 最终；终于

13. victim — 受害者；牺牲品

14. celebrate — 庆祝；赞美

15. prominently — 突出地；显著地

16. supreme — 至高无上的；最重要的

17. portrayal — 描绘；描述

18. drapery — 布料；悬挂的布帘

19. Hellenistic — 希腊化的；希腊化时期的

20. patronage — 赞助；资助；庇护