Understanding “Oedipus Rex” in the light of Urdu translation

Abstract

“Oedipus Rex” also known as “Oedipus the King” is a tragedy written by the ancient Greek playwright Sophocles. The drama was first performed in 429 BC. The play is well known in Greek tragic drama history. Sophocles has presented numerous controversial and unconventional themes in Oedipus Rex like free will, fate, self-discovery, guilt and shame, search for truth, and over-confidence. But the main theme of the play revolves around the sexual relationship between child and parent. The play presents how such action can cause a curse, not for the whole of the society. The play is an emotive story of a child-parental relationship and is universally significant due to its sensitive aspects. The play is not only commendable in international literature but also in the world of psychology. Sigmund Fried derived his psychological theory of the “Oedipus Complex” from the story of the play. Sophocles presents a composition of irony and symbolism eminent to the contemporary work of his age. The themes of fate againsthe t human will and astigmatism against perception make the play a unique literary piece. The play is transmitted in many languages all around the world. Ahmad Aqeel Ruby has translated this play into Urdu. This article is compressed on the analysis of this Urdu translation.