When literature majors meet up an evening...

[secondlina]

 ....Not quite sex in the city. More like book geeks int he city. But it's fun :D

The whole discussion was brought on by talking about the "Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde" musical, movie and book.

For those of you who don't know, "Oedipus Rex" (translates as "King Oedipus") is a famous antique greek play based around the character of Oedipus. It's a tragedy that's part of a three-play thing. The first play speaks of Oedipus and his rotten life (Was sent away because of a prophecy, killed his dad, became kind, banged his mom, learned about it after having a few kids, and poked his eyes out. He's also the hero who beated the Sphinx). The two other plays are about how his rotten life expands to his descendants (poor, poor Antigone). Because greek tragedies are fun and gruesome that way. They like to  inflict multi-generational torture.

Kinda reminds me, when I was a kid, I had a book with greek myths inside. They did have Oedipus, but the tale was ONLY about how he beat the Sphinx's riddle. They removed all the icky content. You know... for kids!

Re-reading greek myths though... I honestly have to say almost all the male heroes are mean. "Cupid and Psyche" is one of the only myths featuring a)a chick that kicks butt and b) a male lead who isn't a jerk.

Oh well. At least it still gives me wacky inspiration. 

Jocasta totally gets a solo.

- Isa

Comments

[wrongsidefoxrun.livejournal.com]

this comic is awesome:3

[ladyxmoonlight.livejournal.com]

TOTALLY. WANT.

That's like one of my favorite Greek stories. <3

[nuitsongeur.livejournal.com]

Love your icon btw!

[ladyxmoonlight.livejournal.com]

Haha thank you! <3

[neocloud9.livejournal.com]

OH GOD I would love an Oedipus musical. :B

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

They made musicals out of stranger things!

[nuitsongeur.livejournal.com]

I would totally PAY to see this version of Oedipus!

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

Hahahah, so would I.

[amelia-seyroon.livejournal.com]

"A song about necrophilia?" 0.o

[ichiban-victory.livejournal.com]

If there's a butcher involved, necrophilia is a given. (Yes, it's gross.) XP

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

There's necrophilia mentioned in the 3 ancient plays, so yeah.

[amelia-seyroon.livejournal.com]

D=

[ichiban-victory.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Oedipus, for giving us the Oedipus Rex Complex.

I used to be so well versed on Greek mythology. Oedipus Rex was never a favorite, but it's one of the easiest to remember. From what I recall of the story, Oedipus was taken into the hills and abandoned (by his father?) in order for the prophecy that he would one day kill his father to be prevented. Baby Oedipus should have died, but of course was taken in by someone, grew up not knowing his heritage, then returned to his kingdom to slay the king, who just happened to be his real dad. He of course wouldn't kill the queen since she was female, thus desirable for...yeah, being female. Blah, blah, blah, in any case, he's forever given us a term for when sons love their mothers too much. XP

Would you say that Ulysses was mean? I never got the impression that any of the great Greek heroes were mean, but it probably depends a lot on how the story was written.

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

One of the themes of the play is ignorance, and the desire to be ignorant. I mean, in the original plays, a lot of hints are dropped and the main character is given the choice countless times to learn who was the king and learn that he murdered him. But he skips over those. So, the play is more about misfortune (both destined and self-inflected) then a unhealthy obsession with one's mother. In fact, Oedipus looses ALL interest in his mother sexually as soon as he learns that she is his mother. The play is about destiny and ignorance. Freud (and the public) are the ones that made this into a family sexual deviance show. Which I guess it's why this would be the worse/best musical ever. A lot of people would miss the point.

Here ends the literature major segment of this comment.

Most heroes kinda went the extra mile to punish people, this includes Ulysses, who chose to kill people rather then just let them go, avoid wars or slip away quietly. It got him loads of trouble. I always found that, for being the wisest man in Greece, he was pretty darn bloodthirsty.

[ichiban-victory.livejournal.com]

Ancient Greece wasn't about mercy. Most of the Old World wasn't, really. (Many countries still live according to "an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.") So you can't really accuse the heroes of being a certain way when that way was the way to be. Just think, Greece was supposed to be a wonderful place to live, compared to Sparta!

I could go on at length about this stuff, but I'll spare you. This time. ;)

[elirrina.livejournal.com]

This is exactly the sort of conversation that my friends and I have! :D

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

Indeed! :D

[spankingfemme.livejournal.com]

LOL! You guys are too funny! ;) I'd go see that for sure! :P

Greek mythology, heck most mythology, has always been up my alley. Speaking of Antigone, the first and only play I was ever in was Antigone :)

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

Really? Who did you play?

[spankingfemme.livejournal.com]

I played... (are you ready for this? *drum rolls!*... Random Chorus member! XD LOL! Okay, not a major role, but from the reviews, everyone had said they liked our skits the best out of the whole play :P

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

The chorus is badass! It's like the ancient version of captain foreshadowing and captain obvious.

[yukinoomoni.livejournal.com]

TH-THAT'S AMAZING.

YOU MUST WRITE THIS SCRIPT.

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

I KINDA WANT TO NOW.

[angelchan-2004.livejournal.com]

*ALSO INSISTS YOU DO SO*

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

LOLLLLLLL

[snapdragon76.livejournal.com]

LOL, I think it should be called 'Oedipus!' complete with exclamation point!

[vovat.livejournal.com]

Have you ever heard Tom Lehrer's "Oedipus Rex" song?

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

yup, actually!

[psychosongtress.livejournal.com]

hahaha I love it! I've always wanted random things to be turned in to musicals. Idk if you like Harry potter, but if you do and you like musicals you should think about checking it out. The music is acutally really good!