The Wild Duck Journal #1

Compare how writers in your study have explored the themes of judgment and punishment, or disguise and deceit, or love and friendship, and with what effect.
In Oedipus, Sophocles addresses love and friendship throughout the whole play. Oedipus is in love with Jocasta and has close friendships with Creon and other members of the society. With these relationships we are able to understand the importance these friendships were to Oedipus. Oedipus looks to his friends and personal relationships for not only help but also advice. Many times Oedipus wants to talk to either the messenger or the shepherd for information that they hold. With showing Oedipus valuing these relationships it relates the reader to the writing and may touch on relationships the reader may have. This play also gives great value to that of Apollo, everything Apollo says and does is the truth or right. It is the judgment of the people and chorus to believe Apollo rather than finding the truth out for them-self. The punishment of the play may be the worst type of punishment. When Oedipus finds out he has in fact fulfilled his prophecy, he has self hatred. Oedipus is so disgusted with himself that he no longer wants to be able to physically see the pain and hurt he has caused other people. The effect this has on the play shows how deep his disgust went and pushed him to make such rash decisions.
When just starting the play The Wild Duck, we can already see the relationships the characters have and the effects that come out of them. Gregers has a very weak relationship with his father and rarely talk due to business. Gregers is not fond of his father and the actions he takes; therefore, he does very little to keep this relationship. On the other hand his father tried to reconnect with him. After asking Gregers to come home and being confronted with harsh accusations, Werle just wants to move forward rather than being dragged behind with past events. This causes tension between these two characters and it can be inferred that later in play these two characters will have conflicting views.