English Language & Literature

The Overseer of the Plague: Reading Oedipus Rex during COVID-19

The Overseer of the Plague: Reading Oedipus Rex during COVID-19

The role and responsibility displayed by Oedipus can be compared and contrasted with the performance of the major political leaders of our own contemporary world during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Author

Maaz Bin Bilal, Associate Professor, Jindal School of Liberal Arts & Humanities.

Summary

A critical reading of the Greek tragedy Oedipus Rex with a focus on the protagonist as a ruler overseeing a city under a plague, is illuminating for our times. The role and responsibility displayed by Oedipus can be compared and contrasted with the performance of the major political leaders of our own contemporary world during the COVID-19 pandemic. Civic duty and the sovereign’s responsibility towards their people during the crisis are examined.

Published in: Economic & Political Weekly

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