Activity Overview
Theme, symbols, and motifs come alive when you use a storyboard. In this activity, students will identify themes and symbols from the play, and support their choices with details from the text. In the classroom students can track symbolism and themes Sophocles employs in to convey the tragedy of Oedipus's story.
Themes, Motifs & Symbols to Look For and Discuss
Fate
Throughout the story of Oedipus, the theme of fate becomes a guiding element. From the moment, the prophecy is foretold to King Laius, until the moment the truth is revealed, both Oedipus and his father try to outrun their fate. With every move, they only bring the prophecy closer to finally coming true.
The Three Way Crossroads
Several time during the play the three-way crossroads, where King Laius was killed, is mentioned. A crossroads suggest a choice or a path that a character could have taken. Do we have the freedom to choose or is everything inevitably chosen for us? Could Oedipus have taken another road, or was he always doomed to meet Laius and travel on to Thebes?
Sight
Sight for the Greeks was a powerful symbolic notion. The language of the play repeatedly references physical sight as Oedipus tries to track down the killer of Laius. It is not a coincidence that the prophet of the story is blind. Although he does not have bodily sight, he has a power to see the truth of situations. Perhaps this is why Oedipus decides to take his own sight at the end of the play. Had he possessed the ability to see beyond what mere mortals see he could have prevented his catastrophic outcome.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes in Oedipus the King. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the theme(s) from Oedipus the King you wish to include and replace the "Theme 1" text.
- Create an image for the example(s) that represents this theme.
- Write a description of each of the examples.
Lesson Plan Reference
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/11-12/1] Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/11-12/2] Determine two or more themes or central ideas of a text and analyze their development over the course of the text, including how they interact and build on one another to produce a complex account; provide an objective summary of the text
- [ELA-Literacy/SL/11-12/2] Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) in order to make informed decisions and solve problems, evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source and noting any discrepancies among the data
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identification of Theme(s), Symbol(s), and/or Motif(s) | All themes are correctly identified as important recurring topics or messages in the story. Symbols are correctly identified as objects that represent something else at a higher level in the story. Motifs are correctly identified as important recurring features or ideas in the story. | Most themes are correctly identified, but others are missing or incomplete. Most symbols are correctly identified, but some objects are missing or incomplete. Some motifs are correctly identified, but others are missing or incomplete. | Most themes are missing, incomplete, or incorrect. Most symbols are missing, incomplete, or incorrect. Most motifs are missing, incomplete, or incorrect. | No themes, symbols, or motifs are correctly identified. |
| Examples and Descriptions | Quotes and examples are accurate to the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) that are being identified. Descriptions accurately explain the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) and highlight their significance to the story. | Most quotes and examples are accurate to the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motifs that are being identified. Descriptions mostly accurately explain the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s), and highlight their significance to the story. | Most quotes and examples are minimal, incorrect, or unrelated to the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) that are being identified. Descriptions contain inaccuracies in their explanations, or do not highlight their significance to the story. | Examples and descriptions are missing or too minimal to score. |
| Depiction | Depictions chosen for theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) are accurate to the story and reflect time, effort, thought, and care with regard to placement and creation of the scenes. | Depictions chosen for theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) are mostly accurate to the story. They reflect time and effort put into placement and creation of the scenes. | Depictions chosen for theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) are inaccurate to the story. The depictions may be rushed or show minimal effort, time, and care put into placement and creation of the scenes. | Most depictions are missing too many elements or are too minimal to score. Little time or effort has been put into placement and creation of the scenes. |
| English Conventions | There are no errors in spelling, grammar, or mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions reflect careful proofreading and accuracy to the story. | There are a few errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions show accuracy to the story and some proofreading. | There are several errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. Most writing portions do not reflect proofreading or accuracy to the story. | Errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics in writing portions of the storyboard seriously interfere with communication. |
How To Examine Character Growth Using Themes
Identify and Analyze the Themes
Ask the students to carefully read the text and identify as many themes as they can and try to analyze their relevance and significance in the plot. Once students are able to establish this relevance, they will be able to track the development of the themes as well as the characters.
Track the Progression of Themes
Help the students to track the development of themes throughout the plot. Students can divide the plot into stages and see how the theme develops through these stages. Students can also discuss the author’s intentions regarding the themes to understand the development.
Make Character Arcs
Just like how students tracked the development of themes, ask them to track character development as well. Students can analyze the personality traits and motivations of the characters at the beginning and at the end to track progress.
Make Connections
After students are done tracking development and progress, ask them to connect the progress of characters with the development of themes. For instance, was there any particular incident or event that led to the character development of the main characters, and how was the central idea evolving throughout this time or how did the development of a particular theme impact the character arc?
Do Character Response Analysis
Ask the students to look at how the character responds or responds to each crucial occasion. Think about what they are thinking, feeling, and doing. How do these illustrate their changing perception of the themes? Encourage the students to take help from visuals and visual based activities such as character maps.
Frequently Asked Questions About Themes, Symbols, and Motifs in Oedipus
How does the play address the fate vs. free will theme?
The major conflict in "Oedipus Rex" is fate vs free will. Even though Oedipus makes an effort to resist his destiny, he unintentionally fulfills the prophecy, underscoring the tragic inevitableness of some things. Students can try to understand this theme by reflecting on their own lives. For instance, was there any incident where they were trying to avoid something but it happened anyway?
What kind of symbolism has been used throughout the play?
The sphinx, which stands for the riddle and uncertainty surrounding Oedipus' identity and future, is one of the play's most notable symbols. Furthermore, Oedipus' name is significant; it literally translates as "swollen foot," pointing to his terrible outcome. Similarly, there are many other hidden symbols in the play that students can analyze to understand better.
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Oedipus the King / Oedipus Rex
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