The beginning of ritual in Oedipus -- Mimetic Theory and Literary Study

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Date Posted: 18:49:27 03/09/08 Sun
Author: JD Reed
Subject: The beginning of ritual in Oedipus

I have already said that it seems as if the Oedipus myth could hearken back to the unknown origin for the story of Apollo. I believe that there are two instances in Oedipus Tyrannus where the beginnings of ritual are present. In the very beginning, the priest is approaching the altar of Oedipus when he asks for his help. Obviously the idea of an altar implies the divinization of Oedipus, also the priest said to be the most fit individual to beseech Oedipus' aid, is often the agent who heads rituals in societies. The other instance is at the end when Oedipus speaks to his children. He says "what you will have to suffer-the festivals, the holidays-the sadness you will know when you should share in gaiety". Oedipus' prediction seems to imply that the gaiety that his children will be involved in will remind them of this tragedy. Thus I believe that he could be referring to the rituals and festivals that arise out of his exile and would then be the repetition of the whole process that has just happened. I dont know if I'm giving Sophocles too much credit, but it seems like he is hinting at the process of ritualization that Girard speaks about.

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