THESIS

The manifestation of the main issues in King Oedipus and their influence on other literary forms in varied cultural contexts from Ancient Greece to present day.

"Cultures are maps of meaning through which the world is made intelligible". Authors and artists explore and exploit the issues and values of their times to form creative interpretations of their social surroundings. The manifestations of these values and issues are embodied in the resulting literary interpretations that humans observe and record. All literature can be inadvertently influenced by the works of the past.

For instance, Sophocles's King Oedipus is an example of oral culture whose Ancient Greek tragedy origins have inadvertently influenced works in the 19th and 21st centuries in their respective literate and electronic cultural contexts. Print and film are modern day cultural technologies for the production of literature and are associated with the cultural contexts of literate culture and electronic culture, respectively.

The main cultural issues and values (in italics) in King Oedipus are:
· compassion and justice arises from a strong sense morality
· one's social status leads to a sense of superiority and the conformity in the individual

In the historical context, manifestations of these issues can clearly be seen in the majority of these modern texts from various cultural contextual backgrounds: Jane Austen's Persuasion; Charles Dickens's Great Expectations; and The Wachowski Brothers's The Matrix.

Ancient Greek tragedy was a type of drama that broke away from traditional storylines, shifting to a more complex and more questioning world - especially with regard to Ancient Greek society. Sophocles was a man who initiated much of this change through his dramatic works - particularly King Oedipus. In Ancient Greece, "society, like nature, was seen as something God made and every member of society had to abide by the same changeless laws." With such tight control, cultural change was slow and the same social characteristics lasted for centuries. However, oral culture gave way to freely available literate culture in the 15th and 16th centuries. Printing presses then increased in availability in the late 18th and early 19th centuries as a result of radical social and industrial change. Consequently, literacy increased and this was most apparent in newly industrialised societies such as England and writers such as Jane Austen and Charles Dickens continued Sophocles's trend of questioning society and social conditions. This same trend was then followed closely in 21st century modern day electronic culture. Social ideas are moving faster today as a result of new mediums like television and film. Even those who are illiterate can access literature in electronic forms. The Wachowski Brothers' The Matrix is a prime example of this exploration into social thinking.

Despite the vastly differing natures of oral, literate and electronic culture, the texts from all three cultural contexts contain similar social questions and each study human behaviour from similar perspectives. Therefore, the manifestation of the main issues in King Oedipus has had an influence on other literary forms in varied cultural contexts from Ancient Greece to present day.

Compassion and justice arising from a strong sense of morality is an important issue in King Oedipus. Oedipus is governed by strict morals but unknowingly commits immoral acts. However, his set of morals lead him to pursue justice because of the compassion he holds for his people. Oedipus felt that it was his duty to help his people no matter what the cost and his sense of morality and his dignity allowed only for justice in order to maintain his integrity:

"I mean to fight for him now, as I would fight for my own father and leave no way untried...Nor do I exempt myself from the imprecation.".

In a like manner to King Oedipus, Persuasion's socially oriented issues are conveyed through the characters and the cultural conditions of its time. Beside the more personal theme of love, woven throughout the story is a wider social theme.

Like Oedipus, Persuasion's main character, Anne Elliot, is the epitome of morality and the issue of the compassion and justice that arises from a strong sense of morality is manifested predominantly through her actions and her attitude towards other characters as well as English society itself. For example, when the Elliots fall into a state of bankruptcy, Anne's strong sense of morality is evident when she considers it "an act of indispensable duty to clear away the claims of creditors" and sees "no dignity in any thing short of it.". Anne's compassion is quite obvious when she openly shuns her father and sister by choosing to spend an evening with her old school-friend, "an every day Mrs Smith" . Sir Walter's severity in reaction to this choice is evident:

"And what is her attraction? ? Upon my word, Miss Anne Elliot, you have the most extraordinary taste! ? a mere Mrs Smith.. of all people and all names in the world to be preferred by [Anne], to her own family connexions among the nobility of England!"

In contrast to the affluence reflected in the upper-class culture of Persuasion, Charles Dickens's Great Expectations focuses more on the opposite end of the broad spectrum of 19th century English culture by concentrating on the plight of a working class boy. This is evidence of the varied cultural contexts found in 19th century English society. Despite the vastly differing social natures of Persuasion and Great Expectations, many similar issues in King Oedipus are found in both texts - illustrating, therefore, the scope of its influence on 19th century literature.

Phillip 'Pip' Pirrip's moral maturation forms the heart of Great Expectations . His moral disposition shifts from being naive and arrogant to compassionate and just because his morals have evolved. It is through this self-realisation that Pip acquires a renewed set of strong morals that is similar to Oedipus's - who was a strong and noble character who believed in fairness and justice because of his strong morals:

"I would willingly do anything to help you; indeed I should be heartless, were I to stop my ears to a general petition such as this"

For example, Pip's sense of compassion, justice and forgiveness for Miss Havisham, despite the way she treated him and Estella, illustrate the strength of his morality, wisdom and nobility:

"Miss Havisham?you may dismiss me from your mind and conscience. But Estella is a different case and if you can ever undo any scrap of what you have done amiss in keeping a part of her right nature away from her, it will be better to do that, than to bemoan the past through a hundred years.."

Thus, Pip's selflessness and Oedipus's giving nature are alike and both characters possess a sense of nobility and wisdom. Hence, this inadvertent influence from King Oedipus is evident in Great Expectations and thus, 19th century literature and culture.

The issue of morality is also apparent in The Wachowski Brothers's The Matrix. A direct manifestation of compassion and justice in King Oedipus can be seen in the Morpheus and his crew. The Agents and the Machines represent the immoral side of modern society:

"Humans are no longer born. We are grown. Standing there, facing the pure horrifying precision, I came to realise the obviousness of the truth."

Morpheus and Neo are a significant part of the freed human race mounting a battle to combat the Machines' exploitation of the human race. Their role in the humans' fight for freedom is indicative of their strong morality from which their sense of compassion and justice for each other arises:

"?his coming would hail the destruction of the Matrix. End the war - bring freedom to our people".

Oedipus, too, was presented with a dilemma (where he was required to save the city and citizens of Thebes as the King and because of his previous experience) through which his morality, compassion for his people and zealous sense of justice were brought into the forefront:

"Whatever the gods require, upon my honour, it shall be done?You will find me as willing as ally as you could wish in the cause of God and our country"

Hence, the issue of compassion and justice being a result of high moral integrity is manifested in Anne's sense of responsibility, Pip's forgiving compassion and the sense of justice found in the humans in the Real World. Each of these examples are linked to Oedipus's positive characteristics and therefore, the Ancient Greek tragedian roots of oral culture of the past have influenced the varied cultural contexts of literate and electronic culture.

Another predominant issue present in King Oedipus is the sense of superiority and the conformity that are the results of one's social status. This is manifested through Oedipus's social status in Ancient Greek society as the King of Thebes. Oedipus has conformed to social expectations of his society and through this conformity, his own sense of superiority has grown in such a way that he has grown far too accustomed to his position of reverence to be able to handle harsh words from Teiresias in their heated exchange:

" You taunt me with the gift that is my greatness? Hear him! Such words - such insults to the State! ? Shameless and brainless, sightless and senseless sot!".

Evidently, a similar aspect of social snobbery is also portrayed in Persuasion. Sir Walter Elliot's social status is the cause for his obnoxious sense of superiority and is reflective of the attitudes of typical upper-class English nobility of 19th century English society:

"it is?offensive to me; ? bringing persons of obscure birth into undue distinction?".

Likewise, the second stage of Pip's moral maturation shows us his perception of what a true gentleman is, is modelled on what 19th century English society perceives it to be and his need for acceptance and conformity grows enormously. Pip's desire for a high status leads him to shun those he believes will hinder his progress towards what he believes to be a "gentleman" because his newfound wealth has given him a sense of superiority. An apt example of Pip's arrogance as a result of his new status is reflected in his attitude towards Joe Gargery. His sense of "shame" about Joe's status is shown here when he speaks to Biddy about Joe:

"Well, Joe is a dear good fellow?but he is rather backward in some things. For instance, Biddy, in his learning and his manners."

In a similar fashion, Oedipus also possesses a sense of superiority in his conformity to his status as the King of Thebes and this is most evident in his treatment of Creon: "By no means, I would have you dead, not banished?I know I am right." . Hence, the indirect influence of King Oedipus's issues on those of Great Expectations is apparent.

Conformity and a sense of superiority are also embodied in the Agents of The Matrix. The identical natures, actions and outfits of the Agents symbolise their conformity and it is this conformity that places them in an elevated position of power within the Matrix. In a viciously symbiotic relationship, the Agents believe themselves to be superior to the very people who created them and rely on as "batteries" to survive ("we lost entire crops" ), because of their elevated status within the Matrix: "Human beings are a disease. You are a plague. And we?are the cure?" .

Likewise, the more egotistical side of Oedipus's character is yet again seen in his heated dialogue with Teiresias: "Shall I bear more of this? Out of my sight! Go! Quickly, go!" .

Conformity and superiority are evidently strong outcomes of one's prominent social status in Persuasion, Great Expectations and The Matrix. Consequently, King Oedipus indirectly sets precedence for the manifestations of the similar senses of superiority and conformity found in Pip, Sir Walter Elliot and the Agents in their respective varied cultural contexts.

Sophocles' King Oedipus has influenced the manifestations of social issues in the varied cultural contexts of oral, literate and electronic cultures. The diversity of these cultural contexts is a strong representation of how appropriations of socially oriented issues have evolved over time. Ranging from Ancient Greek culture whereby Sophocles's King Oedipus had a great impact, the influences of the issues portrayed in the text have been collaterally sustained through to 19th century and modern-day literature. The need for these cultural values has been reflected in their constant representation throughout varied cultural contexts and historical periods in literature.

By Amy Chung

References
· Texts
- Print
Lowenthal, L., Literature, Popular Culture & Society (Pacific Press : Palo Alto, 1961)
Milner, A., Literature, Culture and Society (UCL Press Ltd : London, 1996)
Smith, A., York Notes: Jane Austen's Persuasion (Longman York Press : London, 1980)
Williams, R., Writing in Society (Verso : New York, 1991)
Cotsell, M., Critical Essays on Charles Dickens' 'Great Expectations' (Oxford University Press, 1990)

- Other Print Materials:
Sheets Provided By Teacher
King Oedipus Senior Study Guide (Own work)
J. Swerdlow, "Global Culture", National Geographic, Vol. 196, No. 2, August 1999.

- Film
The Matrix, dir. Larry & Andy Wachowski, rel. 1999
Persuasion, dir. Roger Michell rel. September 27, 1995
Great Expectations, dir. Julian Jarrold rel. 1999

· Internet

- Official "The Matrix" Website: www.whatisthematrix.com
- Search Engine: www.ask.com
- Graphics: www.photovault.com
- Search Engine: www.google.com