AP English Literature at MHSIS 2010-2011: Blog Hwk #2: Oedipus

AP English Literature at MHSIS 2010-2011: Blog Hwk #2: Oedipus: "Find a moment when the Fagles and Roche translations of Oedipus have an interesting difference. What is the significance of the difference? ..."

Roche: "We should live carefree as we may. Forget this silly thought of mother-marrying. Why many men in dreams have married mothers, and he lives happiest who makes the least of it" (52)

Fagles: "Better to live at random, best we can. and for this marriage with your mother- have no fear. Many a man before you, in his dreams, has shared his mother's bed...Live Oedipis, as if there's no tomorrow"

During this time in the story Oedipus has been just found out that the man he believes is his father in Corinth as dies a natural death. But he is still not convinced the prophecy has been derailed because he fears "his mother". Jocasta who I believe at this time has put the pieces togther is trying to finds ways to divert Oedipus' search for answers. In the Roche translation I feel as if there isn't that deep connection between Jocasta and Oedipus in a sense where she uses the term "mother-marrying" and she states how it really only happens in dreams where men could marry there mothers. And how she and he should just live as they are, forgetting about the world. But in the Fagle translation I feel Jocasta's words are strongly stated as if she "is" Oedipus' mother saying "as for this marriage with your mother, have no fear". Jocasta in this translation, which I preferr over the Roche translation isn't as forward in saying live a carefree life, but live as if there is no tomorrow. The sense of forgetting the past is more pronounced.