Sophocles Oedipus the King and Cocteaus The Infernal...

Sophocles Oedipus the King and Cocteaus The Infernal Machine Sophocles Oedipus the King and Cocteaus The Infernal Machine relate the same story, yet from quite different angles. Sophocles play is written in heightened language and spends 1,530 lines on an hour of time. On the other hand, Cocteaus characters speak colloquially, and his 96 pages cover 17 years, putting much more emphasis on the events prior to where Sophocles begins his play. Sophocles and Cocteau present Oedipus character in different lights, and through these characters express contrary themes. Sophocles proud yet wise Oedipus reveals that a humans future is determined by his actions, while Cocteaus haughty yet immature Oedipus suggests that mortals†¦show more content†¦(Soph O.T. 59-69)lt;/block quotegt; Sophocles Oedipus is a clever man and a sage ruler. Unfortunately, he thinks too much of himself and believes that he knows better than the gods. Cocteaus Oedipus lacks wisdom and behaves in a silly manner. The Infernal Machine presents Cocteaus vision of what transpired between Oedipus and the Sphinx. In this version, the sphinx blindly chooses Oedipus to be Thebes savior and even answers the riddle for him. She picks him because she has a crush on him and is bored with her job. This Oedipus becomes king out of luck and rules very much like a child. All this Oedipus strives for is action, adventure.(Cocteau, Infernal Machine, p.45) Even the Sphinx says, The fool! He understood nothing.(Cocteau, Infernal Machine, p. 53) Of course, by not understanding what transpired with the sphinx, Cocteaus Oedipus believes himself to be a genius and an able ruler. Of course he can not even make it through his nightmares without the support of Jocasta, his wife/mother. lt;block quotegt;OEDIPUS. Help! Here! Come here! Anybody! Help me! JOCASTA. What is it, my darling? Oedipus, I was fast sleep. She shakes him. Wake up! OEDIPUS. No! Oh, no! Please! Mercy! JOCASTA. Its all right, my darling. It was a dream. (Cocteau, Infernal Machine. p.77)lt;/block quotegt; Oedipus even lies with his head on his former crib on his wedding night.Show MoreRelated Comparing The Infernal Machine and Oedipus Rex Essay1443 Words   |  6 PagesComparing The Infernal Machine and Oedipus Rex (the King)   Ã‚  Ã‚   The myth of Oedipus’s incest and parricide has been retold many different times. The basic story line has remained the same. Oedipus leaves Corinth to try to escape a fate of incest and parricide. After he leaving the city, he ends up saving Thebes from the Sphinx, becoming king of the city and in the process fulfilling the prophecy. The character of Oedipus changes in each play to help support a different meaning to the entire myth