Sophocles Journal 4

There are many images withing Sophocles' writing. This image is seen very early in Sophocles' writing in the quote, "I'll bring it all to light myself!" (pl 167, line 150). This is said when Oedipus is trying to maintain his focus on the task at hand: finding the murderer. Within this quote is the phrase "bring it all to light". This phrase is repeated a few times within the play, such as when the Messenger is talking to the Chorus, trying to figure out how this mess is going to be handled/taken care of; "it soon will bring to light" (p. 235, line 1358). This recurrent phrase keeps the audience/reader focused and it gives them hope because it promises that the truth will come out; nothing will be unseen with the light/the truth. The use of the image of light and the truth being known also evokes pity within the audience/reader because everyone knows the story prior to seeing the play and so everyone knows the truth already and that it will ultimately cause pain and sadness. This evocation of pity and some sadness is what makes Sophocles' plays tragedies.