Ascend - The Great Books Podcast: "Cursed by the Gods: Oedipus at Colonus Part Two" Summary

Release Date: June 10, 2025

In the second and final installment of their exploration of Sophocles' "Oedipus at Colonus," hosts Deacon Harrison Garlick and Adam Minihan delve into the profound themes that bring Oedipus's tragic narrative to a redemptive closure. This episode features a thoughtful discussion with guest Eli Stone, offering deep insights into the dramatic zenith of Oedipus's life, the concept of redemptive suffering, and the binding power of love within the play's intricate web of relationships and historical context.

1. Introduction to "Oedipus at Colonus"

Deacon Harrison Garlick opens the episode by expressing his admiration for "Oedipus at Colonus," highlighting how Sophocles masterfully transforms Oedipus's harrowing tale into one of beauty and redemption. Garlick remarks, “I simply love this play. It adds a thick veneer over the entire Oedipus cycle, making it a story that is simply beautiful and deserves to be studied alongside Job” (00:00).

2. Personal Reflections and Contextual Readiness

Garlick shares a personal anecdote about the birth of his fifth child, intertwining his own anxieties with the themes of the play. He reflects on his struggle with control and anticipation of suffering, drawing parallels to Oedipus's journey. “I realized that I am not as prepared to suffer as I thought” (04:52) sets the stage for a heartfelt exploration of the play’s themes.

Guest Eli Stone echoes these sentiments, discussing his experiences with launching a classical education program and his own challenges with change and uncertainty. Stone connects his reliance on the Lord’s Prayer to the theme of providence in "Oedipus at Colonus," stating, “Fate is not precocious or entirely devoid of a purpose” (06:46).

3. Character Analysis and Symbolism

Oedipus: The Divine Judge

The conversation shifts to analyzing Oedipus’s transformation into a quasi-divine figure who embodies both suffering and prophecy. Stone remarks, “Oedipus becomes the blind prophet, holding court and pronouncing judgment” (27:10), highlighting his role as a moral and spiritual beacon.

Creon: The Sophistic Antagonist

Creon is portrayed as a sophist and antagonist who manipulates Greek ideals for political gain. Garlick critiques Creon’s rhetoric and his attempt to subvert divine laws for the common good, noting, “Creon is trying to turn guest friendship on its head” (16:51).

Theseus: The Noble Savior

Theseus emerges as a deific hero who intervenes to restore order. Both hosts admire Theseus’s consistent portrayal as a character who "just does the right thing," likening him to a "deus ex machina" (15:49). His role is critical in balancing Creon’s manipulations and upholding the sanctity of divine order.

Polynices: The Tragic Villain

Polynices is discussed as a complex character who embodies both suffering and flawed virtue. Garlick admits to finding Polynices “somewhat whiny” and questions his courage versus cowardice, suggesting, “He might as well go march on Thebes” (60:31).

4. Themes of Fate, Providence, and Redemptive Suffering

A central theme explored is the interplay between fate and divine providence. Stone asserts that Sophocles presents fate as inherently purposeful and redemptive, “Good, bad things happen to good people. Nevertheless, fate... brings things about in such a way that all at the end, you can look back and say, all was ordered” (09:22).

Garlick adds that Oedipus’s acceptance of his fate and his proactive role in fulfilling prophecies showcase the Greek understanding of suffering as transformative and purposeful. “Oedipus’s death is going to be a blessing” (13:11) emphasizes this redemptive aspect.

5. The Political and Historical Allegories

The hosts delve into the historical context of Athens post-Peloponnesian War, interpreting characters as allegories for political entities. They suggest Theseus represents Athenian nobility and Creon symbolizes Spartan tyranny, while Oedipus embodies the suffering Athenian populace grappling with loss and identity.

Garlick poses, “What does Oedipus represent? He represents the people of Athens that suffered all of those things” (37:51), prompting a rich discussion on how Sophocles mirrors contemporary societal struggles through his characters.

6. Literary Devices: Blindness and Insight

The motif of physical blindness juxtaposed with spiritual insight is another focal point. Stone connects Oedipus’s blindness to his enhanced spiritual perception, “Those who see physically with their eyes don't necessarily have this deeper insight” (27:10). This metaphor extends to themes of knowledge, prophecy, and moral judgment.

7. The Role of the Chorus and Death

The Chorus in "Oedipus at Colonus" offers reflections that foreshadow impending battles and explore the nature of death. Garlick interprets the Chorus’s praise of death as both a lament and a philosophical acceptance of fate, asking, “What is the role of death for Sophocles in this chorus?” (85:49).

Stone responds by linking the Chorus’s reflections to broader philosophical ideas about suffering and providence, noting, “There's something deeply consoling about that” (09:22).

8. The Beatific Vision and Oedipus's Transformation

In the play’s culmination, Oedipus experiences a transformative moment akin to the beatific vision found in Christian theology. Garlick describes his imagery of a thunderstorm in Oklahoma as parallel to Oedipus’s divine enlightenment, “this is exactly what I have in my head” (83:11).

Stone draws parallels to later philosophical and theological concepts, suggesting that Oedipus’s final revelation represents a glimpse into a divine order, “This is like a theosis” (89:31).

9. The Binding Power of Love

The discussion concludes with an exploration of love as a binding force within the play. Both hosts emphasize Antigone’s role as a mediator, embodying love's power to unify despite tragedy. They connect this to broader Greek philosophical thought, where love (Eros) serves as a fundamental binding agent in the cosmos.

Garlick highlights Antigone’s desire to emulate her father’s divine adherence, “She plays a mediator. She plays one who tries to bind things together” (47:44). Stone extends this to Aristotle’s and Hesiod’s interpretations of Eros as a cosmic force, underscoring its essential role in maintaining order and unity.

10. Conclusion and Future Directions

As the episode wraps up, Garlick and Stone reflect on the enduring relevance of "Oedipus at Colonus" and its profound lessons on fate, suffering, and divine providence. Garlick teases the next episode, which will pivot to Euripides' "Bacchae," promising to explore its unique themes and questions.

Garlick closes with a poignant remark, “This is a moment of joy for him as he approaches his death because he can see the purpose of his life” (89:31), encapsulating the episode’s exploration of Oedipus’s journey from suffering to redemptive fulfillment.

Notable Quotes:

• Deacon Harrison Garlick (00:00): “I simply love this play. It adds a thick veneer over the entire Oedipus cycle, making it a story that is simply beautiful and deserves to be studied alongside Job.”

• Eli Stone (06:46): “Fate is not precocious or entirely devoid of a purpose.”

• Deacon Harrison Garlick (13:11): “Oedipus’s death is going to be a blessing.”

• Eli Stone (09:22): “There's something deeply consoling about that.”

• Eli Stone (27:10): “Those who see physically with their eyes don't necessarily have this deeper insight.”

• Deacon Harrison Garlick (37:51): “What does Oedipus represent? He represents the people of Athens that suffered all of those things.”

• Deacon Harrison Garlick (47:44): “She plays a mediator. She plays one who tries to bind things together.”

• Eli Stone (89:31): “This is like a theosis.”

Final Thoughts

This episode of Ascend - The Great Books Podcast masterfully intertwines personal reflections, historical allegories, and deep literary analysis to illuminate the enduring power of Sophocles' "Oedipus at Colonus." Through the insightful dialogue between Garlick and Stone, listeners gain a richer understanding of the play's exploration of fate, suffering, and the transformative power of divine providence. The discussion not only deciphers complex themes but also connects ancient wisdom to contemporary existential questions, offering a profound reflection on the human condition.

Listeners eager to continue their journey through the Great Books will find the upcoming exploration of Euripides' "Bacchae" equally compelling, promising to uncover new layers of philosophical and literary significance.