Costume Design - Oedipus

Jocasta's Diary

Dear Diary,
       These past few days have been quite troubling. I walked in on Oedipus and Creon fighting, so I got in the middle of this public outburst by saying, "Aren't you ashamed, with the land so sick, to stir up private quarrels?" (711-712). Thebes is in such a disordered and chaotic state that I felt it necessary to remind those men, both my husband and brother, of their duty to remain composed for the public, for the people were worried enough and needed to see unwavering composure from their respected leaders. I truly did not want to see the fight between Oedipus and Creon continue, so I pleaded with my husband, "Oh god, believe it, Oedipus, honor the solemn oath he swears to heaven. Do it for me, for the sake of all your people," (722-724). I could not bare to see the growing tension between two men whom I love dearly.
        I am afraid that my faith in prophecy is surely subsiding. My deceased husband, Laius, was supposed to be killed by my son, but he was killed by others before my son could even try. I even said to Oedipus, to convince him that prophecy is not always relevant or true, "So much for prophecy. It's neither here nor there. From this day on, I wouldn't look right or left," (948-949). Hopefully my husband won't dwell too much on the "accurate" prophecy that Tiresias told him, for these "prophecies" don't always come true.
        I guess it all comes down to this: I am worried. I am worried that Thebes will not return to a prosperous state. I am worried that Oedipus and Creon will not reconcile and move on from this, in the interest of Thebes. But most of all, I am worried for Oedipus. He is taking all of this chaos to heart and blaming so much on himself. I worry he will drive himself crazy with guilt until he finds out who killed Laius. My husband, Oedipus, the love of my life, is my biggest concern.

Thank you for listening Diary. I will check in again very soon.

Those Afraid Of Being Themselves

Level 8: Fraud

Leaving the dwelling of those who were violent,      a
I was worried to see what was next,                          b

More people whose lives came to an end.                 c

Down another level, Virgil and I descend,                c       

What was next, I didn't have a clue.                          d
Now we’re at the home of those who pretend.          c

Never speaking up, never being true,                        d
These people have died,                                             e
And their minds, no one really knew.                        d

Virgil said they could have been great, if they only tried,       e
Instead of giving up so easily,                                                  f
Now along with them their thoughts have died.                      e

They never let people in, to see who they were.

They conformed to society,

All of which was a blur.

Of clones and copies no one standing out,
They could have been unique,
There was no doubt.

The fear kept them hidden and confined,
To the likes and ideas of others,
Afraid to take a stand and show their own mind.

Now their minds are blank with a recurring thought,
That of guilt and regret,

For the lives they should have fought.

Fought for preserving and embracing,
Their individuality was so precious,
But they spent their lives basing,

Basing their opinions and what they say,
On how others would think,
And if it would be okay,

To let people see what they really felt,
But it is too late for that,
The cards have been dealt.

Eternally they will sit in an empty space,
Filled with regret
For their lives were a waste.

     The sin described in the canto above discusses those who pretend to be someone they are not, just to fit in with the expectations of society. These people were put in level 8 of Hell because like the others in that level, they were frauds and pretenders. They were not true to themselves, and for that they are punished. Taking their individual thoughts and opinions for granted, the people in this level were not honest to themselves. Too often in society, people are afraid to speak up, stand out, or disagree with others' opinions; that is one of the worst things one can do, for everyone is unique and has something to offer this world. Wasting that gift and that opportunity is a sin that those who committed it needed to be punished for. Their punishment was that all their gifts, talents, and opinions were erased from their minds and all that was left was a feeling of regret and guilt, regret for not taking the opportunity to show the world who they were and guilt for wasting their lives. Their punishment shows that they were no longer worthy of those individual thoughts and for that their minds are emptied.