why do you sit here with your suppliant crowns?2
the town is heavy with a mingled burden
of sounds and smells, of groans and hymns and
incense;
5 I did not think it fit that I should hear
of this from messengers but came myself,–
I Oedipus whom all men call the Great.
This part explains “language enhanced by varying beauties.” and is an irony because of the way Oedipus uses that sentence to describe him and his children. At first, he said “Why do you sit… crown?(not sure what that means)” then “groans and hymns and incense” it seems like his children are wearing that crown for nothing because if the town is under peace and calm why do they wear that suppliant crowns? could it be all illusion? or is it just to certify something to help people?. Second part where the irony begins because their father(Oedipus) calls himself the great(in my way of understanding he might rule this place and everyone is being themself no chaos or anything), but with the first parts adds up. It is like they are challenging the father(Oedipus), so he is pretty mad now.
2 thoughts on “Ben pu Dai Week 6”
Hey Ben,
I thought your response was really well written. I liked the way you began your explanation of the passage with a literary device you had found in one of the lines. The continued explanation of the literary device irony in the passage also helped me understand more in-depth what was going on. I also really liked the questions you put in your response as well, it made me feel like the response was being spoken to me at the moment.
I enjoy your interpretation about the function of the suppliant crowns and costumes children wears because I focus more on their behaviors. On one hand, it may reflects the citizens of the town put most of their hope into Oedipus and wish him find a way to save the town. At that time, their fates is on the hand of Oedipus. On the other hand, it might constitutes as you wrote the irony in which they realizes the inability of Oedipus and starts to pray alone, waiting for a God to save their lives.