The podcast explores how the structure and elements of 'Oedipus Rex' have been repeatedly reinterpreted and often trivialized in modern storytelling. The 'B story' of self-discovery, central to 'Oedipus Rex,' has become less compelling for contemporary audiences, who now prefer conclusive and satisfying endings in narratives.
In 'Once Upon a Time in America,' the character Noodles believes he caused the death of his friends, including Max, after he reports them to the police. Decades later, he discovers that Max orchestrated the entire event, leading to a revelation that shatters Noodles' self-perception and past beliefs, mirroring the self-discovery and tragic realization in 'Oedipus Rex.'
The 'Stanley Parable' is discussed as a contemporary example of reversing the 'Oedipus' structure. Unlike Oedipus, who realizes his own flaws, the character in 'Stanley Parable' discovers his inner darkness, a common trope in modern narratives where characters confront their darker selves rather than their shortcomings.
The podcast highlights that ancient Greek heroes, like Oedipus, were defined by their human traits and actions rather than moral perfection. In contrast, modern heroes are often portrayed as flawless individuals. The complexity of ancient heroes, who embodied both good and bad traits, has been simplified in contemporary storytelling to characters with clear-cut moral dichotomies.
The plague in 'Oedipus Rex' serves as a critical plot device, symbolizing the chaos and divine punishment in Thebes. Historically, Sophocles introduced the plague element, which was not present in earlier versions of the Oedipus story. This addition reflects the societal impact of the plague during the Peloponnesian War, adding a layer of contemporary relevance to the play.
喜闻乐见的胡逼环节:
有关俄狄浦斯的一切想聊的,从流行文化品鉴到当代创作批判。Anti、三千、奥兹和Z彻底放飞自我的聊天。
《美国往事》借用了俄狄浦斯的结构吗?
魔兽争霸中阿尔萨斯也经历了“认识自己”的过程吗?
银翼杀手反转了这种“英雄神话”吗?
希腊人眼中的英雄和当代人眼中的英雄有何不同?
“点子文学”和“为这盘醋包饺子”:现代人对“故事”的审美变了吗?
英雄是“发现自己是个傻逼”,普通人是“发现自己是个菜逼”。
索福克勒斯除了戏剧作家的身份之外,还同时是雅典的“十将军”,他是在什么样的处境下写出了这些戏剧?讲述俄狄浦斯的故事的他,有什么在故事之外想说的东西吗?