Ais a strong
release of emotions. In theater, it is connected to a vicarious experience of emotions: the
audience bonds with a character in a play, then suffers what they suffer, feeling an emotional
release as the play progresses. Ideally, an audience emerges from a cathartic drama like
feeling cleansed.
Rex fulfills
Aristotle's definition of catharsis as a release of the emotions of fear and pity. We bond with
Oedipus because he is a well rounded character trying to do his best for the people of Thebes,
but also is blind (clueless) about his own involvement in the plague. We fear for him (Greek
audiences knew the story) because we know that the truth he is heading toward step by step will
have a shattering impact on his life, and finally, we pity himempathy is a better word for
today, since pity has a negative in his pain. We are able to effectively feel this 'pity'
because Oedipus blinds himself, which some critics contend is worse than deathit leaves him
alive but helpless.
By the end of the play, many in the audience will feel a
greater empathy for others and also feel purified by having gone with Oedipus through his tragic
story.
Freud would say the drama is cleansing in enacting an unconscious
drama that all boys go through when very young: a desire to kill their fathers and marry their
mothers.
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