Oedipus Rex and the Bible

Christian Alexander

I have to write a paper comparing Oedipus Rex to King David. What would be a good way to begin this paper? My professor asked students who chose Oedipus Rex to read this source THE GOSPEL OF MARK AND "OEDIPUS THE KING": Two Tragic Visions and I have. 

Martin Wetzel

I found 2 items for your subject:

“Dead or Banished”: A Comparative Reading of the Stories of King Oedipus and King David

Hodge, Joel. ““Dead or Banished”: A Comparative Reading of the Stories of King Oedipus and King David.” Scandinavian Journal of the Old Testament 2006, Vol. 20 (2), pp: 189–215.

The rise and fall of two of the most famous legendary kings, Oedipus and David, seem to bear great resemblances to each other. This is especially the case in the central narrative of Sophocles’ “Oedipus the King” and 2 Samuel where the kings are usurped by a close relative upon the intercession of a violent third party. The stories are based on conventions of the rise and fall of a sacred king who restores order to a violent and “plagued” kingdom. Proposes a comparative reading of the texts, in conjunction with an anthropological reading in accordance with the insights of Rene Girard. This provides a way of reading these ancient texts and gives insight into the perspective of and reality referred to in the texts. This is to read the text with appreciation of the dynamics of text and reader through the anthropological perspective opened up by the recognition of the victim.

SAILER, WILLIAM ; CHRISTMAN, J. CREIGHTON ; GREULICH, DAVID C. ; SCANLIN, HAROLD P. ; LENNOX, STEPHEN J. ; GUISTWITE, PHILLIP: Religious and Theological Abstracts. Myerstown, PA : Religious and Theological Abstracts, 2012

And:

The Oedipus Complex and Its Biblical Parallels

Goodnick, Benjamin. “The Oedipus Complex and Its Biblical Parallels.” Jewish Bible Quarterly 1991, Vol. 20 (1), pp: 24–34. ISSN: 0792–3910

Though Freud was well-versed in the Bible, he chose the Oedipus tale as developed in Greek mythology. At first blush, this story appears to share little with the Bible. Yet common themes confront us illuminating both similarities and contrasts. They range from the sacrifice of Isaac (Gen 22:1–19) to the stories of Absalom (2 Sam 16:21–22), Reuben (Gen 35:22), Lot’s daughters (Gen 19:30, 39), Judah and Tamar (Gen 38:6–26) and the Saul-Jonathan-David triangle. Analytical efforts, weaving Freudian and other psychological strands into the biblical tapestry, suggest alternate ways of understanding the Oedipal situation and related concepts. They may also open doors and lead to new ways of perceiving and interpreting biblical events and practices.

SAILER, WILLIAM ; CHRISTMAN, J. CREIGHTON ; GREULICH, DAVID C. ; SCANLIN, HAROLD P. ; LENNOX, STEPHEN J. ; GUISTWITE, PHILLIP: Religious and Theological Abstracts. Myerstown, PA : Religious and Theological Abstracts, 2012

David Wanat

It’s been many years since I read Oedipus Rex, but some of the contrasts I recall might be:

Oedipus sought to avoid the patricide and incest that the oracle foretold but failed out of ignorance of who his parents were. David (I assume that your professor had Bathsheba in mind) did what he knew was wrong. 

Oedipus was tormented for his sin of ignorance. David found forgiveness. I guess you could also use Sophocles other two plays (Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone} to show that the consequences of their acts affected their families as well.

Not sure if this will help.