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Seneca's Oedipus: Solving Ambiguity

Publication at Faculty of Arts |
2017

Abstract

In this paper, the verb solvere, its forms and linguistic complements as they appear in Seneca's tragedy Oedipus are examined. The verb reappears throughout the key moments of the play, but it also designates Oedipus' ability to decipher signs, and thus marks him as a solver-hero.

Moreover, it creates an intertextual link between Seneca's text and texts of Ovid and Vergil, especially with their presentation of Daedalus. Oedipus is shown not only as a subject turned into an object, but as a subject who realizes that he becomes also an object, and who is able to reassert his agency.