Sophocles Use of Syntax and Diction in Oedipus the King

Oedipus Diction and Syntax Response

Sophocles proves how the gods have ultimate control over ones fate through the strategic use of syntax and diction. The punctuation is a vital tool to make the reader relate to the character. The select words persuade the reader to side with the character, even though they do not want to. Fear? What should a man fear? It’s all chance, chance rules our lives. Not a man on earth can see a day ahead, groping through the dark.

Better to live at random, best we can.

And as for this marriage with your mother- have no fear. Many a man before you, in his dreams, has shared his mother’s bed. Take such things for shadows, nothing at all- Live Oedipus, as if theres no tomorrow! Syntactical elements aid Jocasta in attempts to rationalize reality of the gods fate. Through the use of rhetorical questions, she comes to the conclusion that the gods and their prophecies are not real and that it is all a coincidence.

The short rhetorical questions make the reader struggle with the reality, thus pushing them to relate to Jocasta’s denial. The strategic placement of the commas illuminates Jocasta’s own struggle with the truth.

The placement of the commas forces the readers to think like Jocasta in this moment by trying to find and rationalize easy excuses. The utilization of the dashes allow for a dramatic pause, thus allowing the reader to feel Jocasta breathe and relax for a moment as if she had cracked the code of fate and has overcome it.

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She then becomes very passionate when telling Oedipus to not worry about the gods prophecies because she has convinced herself none of it is true. Sophocles strategic use of syntax confirms that the gods control fate and it is not possible to overcome it. The repetition of “fear” clarifies Jocasta’s distress over the past and now their futures. Jocasta continues to mask the reality by referring to the tragedy as a “thing” that will always follow one around like a “shadow”. Jocasta continues to make the tragedy seem less of a problem than it actually is. Suggesting that Oedipus should “live at random” purposes that Oedipus should continue to live his life without aim because it cannot get any worse than it is.

Oedipus has known of his prophecy and has aimed to avoid it at all costs, however, that clearly has not effected the outcome of his fate. Thus validating that the gods control ones ultimate destiny. Sophocles validates that the gods control ones ultimate destiny and trying to outrun it can lead to catastrophe. Through the use of rhetorical questions, commas and dashes, Sophocles is able to strengthen the readers connection with Jocasta by forcing them to feel how she feels. Also, the repetition of the word “fear” emphasizes the serious anxiety Jocasta has about the tragedy. Her use of the words “thing” and “shadow” attempt to minimize the seriousness of the catastrophe.