Nautical metaphors in Oedipus Rex

Introduction

A metaphor is an uncountable figure of speech. The use of a word or phrase to refer to something that it is not, invoking a direct similarity between the word or phrase used and the thing described, but in the case of English without the words like or as, which are used in a simile. It is an implied comparison. Nautical is defined as a word relating to or involving ships or actual shipping. Therefore nautical metaphors are phrases used to describe shipping activities particularly from the days of sail. The association of travel and that of metaphor is significant in that the word metaphor is derived from ancient Greek for travel or carry.

In this play Oedipus is referred to as a captain of a ship. This is metaphorical in that he is compared to be a captain since he leads the people and is the king long after the other king is murdered. He is told by the Chorus that they will stand by him since they suggest that from him the founded ship was set. This is a metaphor since they refer to Oedipus regime as a founded ship. Later Oedipus is referred by Jocasta as a captain where Jocasta prays to Apollo that “we are gone to pieces at the sight/ of him the steersman of the ship/ astray by fright.” It is clear that Oedipus as a captain of a ship has a symbolic meaning and is a metaphor .Oedipus is also seen to captain a ship twice. The ship is a metaphor for Thebes where Oedipus is ruling. Oedipus is seen as a steersman where the Thebes look upon him so that they can be steered through by Oedipus through the storm. The storm here is symbolic and is used to mean that Oedipus should lead people so as to overcome the hardships they are facing especially pollution, incest and civil strife. Though the people have wronged Oedipus he still remains the captain of the Thebes. It is stated that “a captain goes down with his ship”. This means that the leadership of a leader depends on that particular leader and not on the people been leading addition, it is appropriate to say that a ship goes down with its captain meaning that the leader guides the people and can lead to the downfall of the people if not careful.

Oedipus refers to his situation as “dark, horror of darkness, my darkness drowning, swirling around me crashing wave on wave/ unspeakable, irresistible headwind, fatal habour.”In these its clear that Oedipus is no longer the captain of the ship and since the Thebes are no longer supporting him he faces many hardships until to his fated destination where he is engulfed by the wild sea. The wild sea is symbolic meaning that Oedipus is faced by many hard situations which are dangerous.

Conclusion

From the above point of view it is clearly seen that Oedipus as the captain of ship Thebes rules the people in the time problems and immorality exists since incest case is observed. Pollution and also civil strife is experienced by the people. Therefore, nautical metaphors are clearly used in this play as a point of emphasy to show how the Oedipus referred to as the captain leads the Thebes referred to as the ship.

 

 

References

Bloom, Harold. Sophocles' Oedipus Rex. New York: Chelsea House, 2007. Internet resource.