Purpose: This study outlines the components of the moral and civic education in Oedipus at Colonus. Athenian education is reviewed as an example of a city-state which effectively reinforced its citizens’ loyalty and morality thorough the performance...
Purpose: This study outlines the components of the moral and civic education in Oedipus at Colonus. Athenian education is reviewed as an example of a city-state which effectively reinforced its citizens’ loyalty and morality thorough the performance of tragedies at the Dionysus festival. This study sought to contribute lots of ideas and practical methods for moral and civic education in Korea.
Design/methodology/data/approach: The authors analyze the classic literature of Sophocles, and other major works from Greek philosophers and contemporary research articles. This study’s methodology is based entirely on literary review.
Findings/Results: The findings of this study reveal clearly that the Greek tragedy Oedipus at Colonus and its components could be used for moral and civic education. In Oedipus at Colonus, Athens and Thebes are compared in a manner which reveals certain notions of civic education. Athens was a just and honorable city-state and even strangers who were driven out of their own polis were guaranteed safety and justice within Athens. The production capacity and the military strength of Athens was greater than that of Thebes and thus Theseus was able to put an end to Creon’s hubristic assault on Athens. Even though the real situation was much worse than its description, Sophocles tried to make Athenians feel pride for their polis and proposed Oedipus as a paradigm for their suffering.
Value: The result of this study could be used to consider alternative, practical methods with which to educate moral citizens. By focusing on the intermediality in the play, civic education could encourage students to internalize moral and civic values as they exist in the real world.