Modernized Oedipus the King

Oedipus the King is a famous Greek Tragedy. It was written in 425 B.C. (approximate time) by Sophocles. Things have changed a lot since Oedipus the King was performed in the theatre. First, there are no longer amphitheaters. Second, the original theater production of Oedipus the King allowed the viewer to imagine Jocasta hanging herself, and King Oedipus gouging out his eyes; however, dramas today are performed in such a way that less and less is left to the imagination. Another difference is that women are allowed to play in productions today, whereas in 425 B.C. only men were allowed in theatre. Finally, the beliefs in mythological gods are less common today than in the past. However, there are some things that have not changed. People are still interested in tragedy, comedy, heroes, and villains. While Oedipus the King was written at a time when the citizens of Athens believed in oracles and Greek gods, the story can be modernized so that the people of today will relate to the story.

            It is important to look at the facts of the story and to make modern changes without changing the meaning of the story. Laius and Jocasta are prominent people; the King and Queen of Thebes. The fact that they have power and wealth is important. Therefore, in the updated version of the play they need to be in a position that has wealth and power. People are still interested in finding out about their future; however, they no longer go to Oracles for this information. Instead they go to soothsayers; a psychic that can make a prediction about a person’s future. Today, Greek mythology is no longer practiced. This does not mean that people do not believe in a god, or many gods, because they do they just no longer believe in Greek Gods. No masks would be used in the updated play. When the play was written, actors used masks, so that the people could see (by the mask) who was on stage and so they could hear what was being said. I understand the value of using masks; however, no masks will be used at this time. I have also changed Oedipus’s name to Edward (nick name Eddy). The chorus is going to be the dreams that the character’s experience.

            The play would start off with Laius getting engaged. He is a promising senator, and she is a woman of substantial means. From the moment he became engaged his bad dreams started, as if he is being haunted about his future.  Night after night it would be the same dream. Nothing calms his nightmares until he goes to see a soothsayer. She expresses her concern about him having children. If he is to have any children it would mean his death and eventually the death of his future wife. Laius speaks to Jocasta about them not bearing any children. He does not tell her why because he did not want her to think he was crazy. However, after some time passes by Jocasta starts to have nightmares. She imagines that her husband is killed and she marries the killer. Laius knows that something is wrong, but Jocasta continues to tell him that it is nothing – just a bad dream. Then, Jocasta finds out that she is pregnant. She informs Laius of the news. He is struck with fear. He asks her if her dreams had anything to do with him dying. She hesitates and he knows what is wrong. He explains to her what the soothsayer warned him about. While she does not want to believe in this – this nonsense- she is struck with fear. Throughout the pregnancy the dreams continue, and they are not sure what they are going to do when the baby is born so they decide not to tell anyone about the pregnancy.

            Jocasta is tired and worn out by the time the baby is born. She is scared of the baby and takes him down to the dumpster, outside of their New York City apartment. She throws the baby into the dumpster. Later that day it is all over the news; a baby outfit is found with blood on it, but no baby is found.  This scene is comparable to what the audience would have known prior to seeing Oedipus the King. The scene will jump to 17 years later.

While out on the town, Eddy sees a sign for a soothsayer. His friends encourage him to go in. He jokes about having everything and not needing to go in. one of his friends is upset with him, and jealous of him. So, he expresses that maybe Eddy should ask about his real parents because he overhears their parents talking about him being adopted. This makes Eddy angry and he walks away from his friends. He enters into a tavern and starts to drink. After several drinks he decides to go confront his parents. He gets in his vehicle and starts to head towards their home. There is a loud crash. Eddy is covered in blood. He was in a car accident. He immediately knew he is in trouble. He had been driving intoxicated. Impulsively he flees the scene of the crime. He starts to mumble to himself in regards to what he has done. He killed all of those innocent people, in the car. He begins to be haunted by nightmares and as such forgets to confront his parents about being adopted.

The dreams are always the same, and nothing gives him relief from them. He remembers the soothsayer and decides he is going to find out what he needs to do to stop the dreams. The soothsayer asks him what it is he wants to know. Eddy does not tell her about the car accident, because he is afraid, but he does tell her about his dreams. She explains that his life appears to full of turmoil. He will be held responsible for the death of his father, and that he will marry his mother and have children with her. Eddy does not believe anything the old woman says because things like that do not happen. Eddy decides that he needs a change of scenery and leaves his parents.

Eddy has always been interested in politics and decides that he wants to run for Senator. While at a fund raising event, he meets Jocasta. She is beautiful and full of life. He finds out that she is a widow and pursues her. Everything starts to turn around for Edward. He becomes the Senator, and he marries Jocasta. They are happy and she bears him four children. After the birth of the last child, problems start to arise. The children are tormented by nightmares. Only they cannot remember what the dreams were about in the morning. Edward and Jocasta take the children to doctors, and seek alternate treatment for them with no success. One of their friends tells them that they went to a soothsayer in the city, and that she informed them that the problem lied in Laius death. If they investigated their past they would find the answer.

 Jocasta and Edward start to talk about Laius death, as Jocast explains how Laius dies Edward is paralyzed. He cannot move out of fear. He asks her what her husband look like. This part will be like scene II, line 180 of Oedipus the King. He tells Jocast something he has never told anyone before – that he was in an accident- like the one she describes and he kills the people. Jocast comforts her husband and informs him that everyone did not die in the car accident with her husband. His secretary is alive. Edward asks to meet her because he knew she would recognize him if he was the one. Jocasta calls up the secretary and asks her to come over.

As the characters reunit there is a realization that the events of that day are very familiar, so familiar that the evidence suggest that Edward was the one who killed Laius. This wpart would be likened to scene II, line 240 -290 of Oedipus the King No one can deny the similarities, but no one wants to say that Edward is guilty. Edward becomes irritated and cannot hold back his temper. It is as if edward wants someone to tell him that he is the guilty party. As things start to become very creepy, a friend of Edwards’s parents arrives. Matthew informs Edward that his father is dead, and that his mother is ill. He pleads with edward to come home. His father wanted him to take over the business if anything were to happen to him. Edward is aware that Matthew has been a family friend for a long time, so he starts to question him about his parents. He asks if he was an adopted child. To Edward’s surprise Matthew tells him that he was adopted. Matthew explains that he brought Edward to his parents. A woman had given Edward to him when he was a baby. Edward invites Matthew in. When Matthew enters the room he points to the secretary, she can answer all of your questions she gave me the baby.

The ending of the story can follow scene IV line 69 down. Jocast will hang herself, and Edward will gouge out his eyes. Only he will not be tossed out of the land. He will leave the land, and everything he has behind. The paparazzi will find out about the events that have unfolded and there will be talk about Edward and his life. He will be removed as senator and people will look at him with disgust.

Oedipus the King moved the audience because tragic heroes are hard to ignore. If the story was rewritten using terminology of today and changing a few of the ways the story unfolds, it will also be successful because people are intrigued by suffering, and pain. While they might not relate with Edwards character fully, they will relate to the ups and downs of his decisions. His character versus fate; by trying to advert the information provided by the soothsayer the character’s inadvertently placed themselves in a position to fulfill the soothsayer predications.