The Eternal Return: The Heaviest of the Burdens

Abstract

“Putting it negatively, the myth of eternal return states that a life which disappears once and for all, which does not return, is like a shadow, without weight, dead in advance, and whether it was horrible, beautiful, or sublime, its horror, sublimity, and beauty mean nothing.”1 As Kundera, himself, puts it, the idea of living once and never returning to it suggests the utmost lightness under which one’s existence hinders rather than strengthen. The Unbearable Lightness of Being calls on us in the hope of a rediscovery of the experience of homecoming, not only in a geographical sense as we see in Oedipus the King, but more importantly in the psychological, spiritual, and epistemological sense of the term. The struggle between fate and freedom of choice, feeling of guilt and the resolution to its confrontation are among the mutual themes in these two literary masterpieces. Although there are a number of one to one connections between certain characters in the two literary works mentioned, the noteworthy is the individual journey they take to return home (in its metaphorical sense), which at the same time speaks of a collective journey of the homecoming of the human being.

Full text

!
!"#$%&'()*%)+,&*$-)+&*'%&'().'('$/&0)1,2/%$-)3)4,-567)8,59)
:2;-*&$<*,%)=$<'>!"#$%!&'(!&)&)!
=,?*+)%+,-./0#1123%-+%-4&'%!
!
Pakdamanshahri, F. S. (2020). The Eternal Return: The H eaviest of the Burdens. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 7(1)
112-124.
!
!
!
@,AB/*C0<!5!6789:;<!=72!689:$8:!#$>!?>@8#;97$(!A$9;:>!B9$C>7D!
++&!
!
D0')E<'/%$-).'<2/%>)D0')F'$#*'(<),G)<0')H2/"'%()
)
I$<'J'0)K+$/$L):$M"$J$%(0$0/*)
EFG!H#$>9>#;:!I:>9;:J:!A$9K:219;<(!
L1;#$M@N(!O@2P:<!
!
!H+D.!@D)
N:2<<*%C) *<) %'C$<*#'-B7) <0') JB<0) ,G) '<'/%$-) /'<2/%) (<$<'() <0$<) $) -*G') O0*&0) "*($AA'$/()
,%&') $%") G,/) $--7) O0*&0) ",'() %,<) /'<2/%7) *() -*M') $) (0$",O7) O*<0,2<) O'*C0<7) "'$") *%)
$"#$%&'7)$%")O0'<0'/)*<)O$() 0,//*;-'7);'$2<*G2-7),/)(2;-*J'7)*<()0,//,/7)(2;-*J*<B7)$%")
;'$2<B)J'$%)%,<0*%C5P
9
)!() Q2%"'/$7) 0*J('-G7 )A2<( )*<7 ) <0')*"' $) ,G) -*#*%C) ,%&') $%") %'#'/)
/'<2/%*%C) <,) *<) (2CC'(<() <0') 2<J,(<) -*C0<%'(() 2%"'/) O0*&0) ,%'R() 'S*(<'%&') 0*%"'/()
/$<0'/)<0$%)(</'%C<0'%5) D0') T%;'$/$;-')U*C0<%'((),G)H'*%C)&$--(),%)2()*%) <0')0,A') ,G) $)
/'"*(&,#'/B) ,G) <0 ') 'SA'/*'%&') ,G) 0,J'&,J*%C7) %,<) ,%-B) *%) $) C',C/$ A0*&$-) ('%(') $() O')
('') *%) V'"*A2() <0') Q*%C7) ;2<) J,/') *JA,/<$%<-B) *%) <0') A(B&0,-,C*&$-7) (A*/*<2$-7) $%")
'A*(<'J,-,C*&$-) ('%(') , G) <0') <'/J5) D0') (</2CC -') ;'<O''%) G$<') $%") G/''", J) ,G) &0,*&'7)
G''-*%C),G)C2*-<)$%")<0')/'(,-2<*,%)<,)*<()&,%G/,%<$<*,%)$/')$J,%C)<0') J2<2$-)<0'J'()*%)
<0'(')<O,)-*<'/$/B)J$(<'/A*'&'(5)!-<0,2C0)<0'/')$/')$)%2J;'/),G),%')<,),%')&,%%'&<*,%()
;'<O''%)&'/<$*%)&0$/$&<'/()*%)<0')<O,)-*<'/$/B)O,/M()J'%<*,%'"7)<0')%,<'O,/<0B)*()<0')
*%"*#*"2$-) W,2/%'B) <0'B) <$M') <,) /'<2/%) 0,J') K*%) *<() J'<$A0,/*&$- ) ('%('L7)O 0*&0)$ <) <0')
($J')<*J')(A'$M(),G)$)&,--'&<*#')W,2/%'B),G)<0')0,J'&,J*%C),G)<0')02J$%);'*%C5)
)
Q'B)O,/"(>)Q9N#$!B@$>:2#(!R:>9J@1(!"7@2$:<(!1:N=(!F7D:87D9$C(!S:9>:CC:2(!T9:;U18F:!!
)
?8D.V=T@D?V8)
O7D#1(! ;F:! J27;#C7$91;! 7=! ;F:! $7K:N(! #$! #ND71;! D9>>N:V#C:>! W:NNVP$7W$! 1@2C:7$! WF71:!
N9K:N9F77>!>:J:$>1!C2:#;N<!7$!F91!:27;98!2:N#;97$1F9J1!W9;F!W7D:$(!91!J27@>!7=!#$>!87D=72;#MN:!
W9;F! WF#;! F:! >:=9$:1! N9CF;$:11! 7=! F91! N9=:%! S91! >9N:DD#! 91! 7=! #! $:K:2V:$>9$C! $#;@2:%! "7F#$!
G:C:$##2! 2:87@$;1! #! X@7;#;97$! =27D! B@$>:2#*! YOF:2:! #2:! K#297@1! :Z#DJN:1! 7=! O7D#1! #1! #!
8F#2#8;:2!7=!>7@M;%!L!F#K:!D:$;97$:>!F91!9$#M9N9;<! ;7! D#P:! @J! F91!D9$>!87$8:2$9$C!;F:!8F798:!
M:;W::$! F91 ! N9=:V1;<N:!7=!:27;98!=29:$>1F9J1!#$>!87DJ#1197$!=72!O:2:U#(!M:;W::$! >:1929 $C! 7$:!
#$>!N:#K9$C!7$:%!O7D#1!#1P1!F9D1:N=*!Y[F<!1F7@N>!7$:!F#K:!;7!8F771:\]
&
!!
!!!!!!!
O7D#1^!1;2@CCN:!;7!8F771:!7$:(!#1!F:!91!K:2<!W:NN!#W#2:!;F#;!;7!8F771:!7$:!:$;#9N1!#>D9;;9$C!;7!
1:N=VP$7WN:>C:! ;#P:1! 7$! #! C77>! J72;97$! 7=! ;F:! $#22#;9K:%! ?K:$;@#NN<(! ;F7@CF! F:! >:89>:1! ;7!
@$>:2;#P:!;F:!37@2$:<!@$;9N!;F:!K:2<!:$>!7=!9;%!_9P:W91:(!R:>9J@1!2:87C$9U:1!F9D1:N=!#1!#!D#$!7=!
W91>7D(!#!=9C@2:!WF7!P$7W1!7=!F91!7W$!K92;@:1!#$>!K98:1%!OF:!>9==:2:$8:!M:;W::$!;F:!;W7!=#NN1!
7$! ;F:! D7D:$;! 7=! :J9JF#$<(! ;F:! 2:K:N#;97$! WF98F! F#JJ:$1! W9;F! ;F:! D7>:2$! O7D#1(! #$>!
@$=72;@$#;:N<!:18#J:1!;F:!#$89:$;!P9$C%!
!!!!!!
OF91! J#J:2! 9$;:$>1! ;7! >918@11! ;F:! ;F:D:! 7=! :;:2$#N! F7D:87D9$C! 9$! R:>9J@1! `:Z! #$>! The$
Unbearable$Lightness$of$Being!;F27@CF! ;F:! ;F:7 29:1! 7=! T9:;U8F:! #$> ! S:9>:CC:2%!OF:! @$9K:21#N!
1;2@CCN:!M:;W::$!:18#J9$C!#$>!#88:J;#$8:!7=!;F:!;2@;F!#$>!9;1!87$1:X@:$8:1(!;F:!F7D:87D9$C!
7=!;F:!J27;#C7$91;(!7=!;F:!F@D#$P9$>%!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!
!
+
!Q9N#$!B@$>:2#(!The$unbearable$Lightness$of$Being(!;2#$1%!M<!Q98F#:N!S:$2<!S:9D(!a_7$>7$*!b#M:2!c!b#M:2*!&)+'d(!
+%!
&
!"7F#$! G:C:$##2(! YOF:! @$M:#2#MN:! _9CF;$:11! 7=! e:9$CV#! EF9N717JF98#N! ?ZJN72#;97$! 9$! _9;:2#;72]! 9$! "7@2$#N! 7=!
_9;:2#2<!H29;9891D(!H7DJ#2#;9K:!_9$C@91;981!#$>!_9;:2#2<!6;@>9:1(!f7N@D:!LLL(!a!T7K%!+gg&d(!'-%!

h>K#$8:1!9$!6789#N!689:$8:1!`:1:#28F!"7@2$#N!ah66`"d!
f7N%-(!L11@:!+!"#$V&)&)!
!
!
@,AB/*C0<!5!6789:;<!=72!689:$8:!#$>!?>@8#;97$(!A$9;:>!B9$C>7D!
!
!
++.!
D0')D0'J'),G)F,J'&,J*%C7)@$JA;'--)
OF:!87$8:J;!7=!F7D:87D9$C!9$!;F:!D<;F7N7C98#N!1:$1:!7=! ;F:! W72>! F#1! N7$C!M::$!;:$>:>! ;7%!
"71:JF! H#DJM:NN^1!D7>:N!7=!;F:!=9$#N!1;:J!7=!;F:!D<;F!91! #D7$C!;F:!D71;!2:87C$9U#MN:*!Y[F:$!
;F:!F:27X@:1;!F#1!M::$!#887DJN91F:>(!;F27@CF!J:$:;2#;97$!;7!;F:!17@28:(!72!;F27@CF!;F:!C2#8:!
7=! 17D:! D#N:! 72! =:D#N:(! F@D#$! 72! #$9D#N(! J:217$9=98#;97$(! ;F:! #>K:$;@2:2! 1;9NN! D@1;! 2:;@2$!
W9;F!F91!N9=:i;2#$1D@;9$C! ;27JF<%]
.
!_:;! @1! $7;:! ;F#;!W F#;!H#DJM:NN! 91! 87$8:2$:>! W9;F! 91! ;F:!
1;#C:!;F:!F:27!C7:1!;F27@CF!7$8:!;F:!>:J#2;@2:(!9$9;9#;97$(!2:;@2$!9$!9;1!N9=:V;2#$1=72D9$C!1:$1:!
91!7K:2%!S:!=@2;F:2!:ZJN#9$1*!YR$8:!;F:!F:27!=9$#NN<!#887DJN91F:1!F91!F7D:87D9$C!#$>!2:;@2$1!
F7D:!;F:!#>K:$;@2:!91!@$>:21;77>!;7!F#K:!87D:!;7!#!8N71:%!L$!;F:1:!;<J98#N!jF:27!D<;F1^!F7D:!
#JJ:#21!#1!#!JN#8:!7=!M:N7$C9$C!#$>!1#$8;@#2<!WF:2:!;F:!2:;@2$9$C!F:27!91!W#2DN<!W:N87D:>%]
,
!
[F#;! H#DJM:NN! W#$;1! @1! ;7! 1::! 91! ;F:! 82@89#N! 1;#;@1! 7=! 2:;@2$9$C! F7D:! #1! #! 2:;@2$! ;7! #!
1#$8;@#2<(!WF:2:!;F:!F:27!M:N7$C1%!
!
D0')D0'J'),G)F,J'&,J*%C)*%)8*'<X(&0')$%")F'*"'CC'/R()?"'$))
T7W!N:;!@1!>:NK:!9$;7!T9:;U8F:^1!>:=9$9;97$!7=!;F:!87$8:J;!7=!F7D:87D9$C!9$!The$Gay$Science%!!
!
Y[F#;!9=!17D:!>#<!72!$9CF;!#!>:D7$!W:2:!;7!1;:#N!#=;:2!<7@!9$;7!<7@2!N7$:N9:1;!N7$:N9$:11!#$>!
1#<!;7!<7@*!jOF91!N9=:!#1!<7@!$7W!N9K:!9;!#$>!F#K:!N9K:>!9;(!<7@!W9NN!F#K:!;7! N9K:!7$8:!D72:!#$>!
9$$@D:2#MN:!;9D:1!D72:^%%%!W7@N>!<7@!;F27W!<7@21:N=!>7W$!#$>!C$#1F!<7@2!;::;F!#$>!8@21:!;F:!
>:D7$!WF7!1J7P:!;F@1\!R2!F#K:!<7@!7$8:!:ZJ:29:$8:>!#!;2:D:$>7@1!D7D:$;!WF:$!<7@!W7@N>!
F#K:!#$1W:2:>!F9D*!jI7@!#2:!#!C7>!#$>!$:K:2!F#K:!L!F:#2>!#$<;F9$C!D72:!>9K9$:\^]
'
!
!
[F#;!F:!D:#$;!M<!2:N9K9$C!7$:^1!N9=:!9$$@D:2#MN:!;9D:1!W#1!;F:!9>:#!;F#;!7$:!$::>1!;7!D#P:!#!
>:89197$! #;! #! 8:2;#9$! 1;#C:! 7=! 7$:^1! N9=:! WF:;F:2! ;F:92! N9=:! 91! W72;F! 2:N9K9$C%! L;! 91! ;F:! 1#D:!
87$8:J;!B@$>:2#!2:=:21!;7!#;!;F:!M:C9$$9$C!7=!;F:!$7K:N*!j%%%;F:!D<;F!7=!:;:2$#N!2:;@2$!1;#;:1!;F#;!
#!N9=:!WF98F!>91#JJ:#21!7$8:!#$>!=72!#NN(!WF98F!>7:1!$7;!2:;@2$!91!N9P:!#!1F#>7W(!W9;F7@;!W:9CF;(!
>:#>!9$! #>K#$8:(!#$>!WF:;F:2!9;!W#1!F7229MN:(!M:#@;9=@N(!72!1@MN9D:(!9;1!F72272(!1@MN9D9;<(!#$>!
M:#@;<!D:#$!$7;F9$C%]
4
!h!=:W!1;:J1!=@2;F:2!;F:!$#22#;72!9$!B@$>:2#^1!$7K:N!#1P1*!Y[9NN!;F:!W#2!
M:;W::$!;W7!h=298#$!P9$C>7D1!9$!;F:!=7@2;::$;F!8:$;@2<!9;1:N=!M:!#N;:2:>!9=!9;!2:8@21!#C#9$!#$>!
#C#9$(!9$!:;:2$#N!2:;@2$\]
-
!
!!!!!!
T9:;U18F:! W#$;1! @1! ;7! D#P:! #! AV;@2$! ;7W#2>1! 7@21:NK:1! #$>! #1P! 7@21:NK:1! #! X@:1;97$(! #$!
:Z91;:$;9#N! X@:1;97$%! h! 172;! 7=! :Z91;:$;9#N! X@:1;97$! ;F#;! 2:X@92:1! #$! @;D71;! N:K:N! 7=! 1:N=V
P$7WN:>C:(! 1:N=V#W#2:$:11!#$>! M:N9:=! 9$! =2::>7D!7=! 8F798:(! #! M:N9:=!;F#;!#NN7W1!9$>9K9>@#N1! ;7!
F7N>! ;F:D1:NK:1! 2:1J7$19MN:! =72! ;F:92! 8F798:1! #$>! ;F:! ;@2$! 7=! :K:$;1! 9$! ;F:92! N9K:1! #$>! ;F:!
87@21:! 7=! ;F:92! N9K:1(! 9$8N@>9$C! ;F:! 17227W1! #$>! 37<1(! ;F:! D91:29:1! #$>! ;@2D79N1! $::>1! ;7! M:!
J71:>!;7!@1!M<!@1%!L;!91!7$!:#8F!#$>!:K:2<!7$:!7=!@1!;7!:Z#D9$:!7@2!N9K:1!#$>!87$;9$@:!;7!N9K:!
D:2:N<!#$>!D:2:N<!@$>:2!;F:!87$>9;97$!;F#;!W:!#2:!W9NN9$C!;7!2:N9K:!:#8F!#$>!:K:2<!D7D:$;!7=!
;F#;!N9=:!7K:2!#$>!7K:2!#$>!87$19>:2!9;!;F:!1#$:1;!9>:#!7=!#NN!#1!F:!D:$;97$1(!;F:!D71;!Y>9K9$:]%!
!!!!!!
S:9>:CC:2! 2:=:21! ;7! Thus$ Spake$ Zarathustra!;7! F9CFN9CF;! ;F:! 87$8:J;! 7=! #! M:9$C! 8#NN:>! YOF:!
H7$K#N:18:$;]%!S:9>:CC:2!2:D#2P1*!
YO7W#2>! ;F:! :$>! 7=! ;F:! ;F92>! J#2;! 7=! OF@1! 1J#P:! k#2#;F@1;2#(! #JJ:#21! #! 1:8;97$! W9;F! ;F:!
F:#>9$C!jOF:!H7$K#N:18:$;^%!OF#;!91!k#2#;F@1;2#%!e@;!WF#;!>7:1!j87$K#N:18:$;^(!>:2!l:$:1:$>:(!
D:#$\! l:$:1:$! 91! ;F:! 1#D:! W72>! #1! ;F:! l2::P! $:7D#9(! $71;71(! D:#$9$C! ;7! N:#>! F7D:%!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!
!
.
!"71:JF!H#DJM:NN(!The$Hero$With$a$Thousand$Faces(!aE29$8:;7$*!E29$8:;7$!A$9K:219;<!E2:11(!+g,gd(!+g.%!
,
!LM9>(!+g'%!
'
!b29:>298F!T9:;U18F:(!The$Gay$Science(!;2#$1%!M<![#N;:2!B#@=D#$$!aT:W!I72P*!f9$;#C:!e77P1(!+g-,d(!.,)%!
4
!Q9N#$!B@$>:2#(!The$unbearable$Lightness$of$Being(!+%!
-
!LM9>(!'%!

Pakdamanshahri, F. S. (2020). The Eternal Ret urn: The Heaviest of the Burdens. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 7(1) 112-124.
!
!
!
++,!
T.U>)F;;J*00>Z%>79%72C0+)%+,-./0#1123%-+%-4&'%)
!
jT71;#NC9#^!91!;F:!<:#2$9$C!;7! C7! F7D:(!F7D:198P$:11%!jOF:!H7$K#N:18:$;^!91!7$:!WF7! 91!C:;;9$C!
2:#><!;7!;@2$!F7D:W#2>(!;F#;!91(!;7!;@2$!;7W#2>!WF#;!>:=9$:1!F9D%!OF:!87$K#N:18:$;!91! @$>:2!
W#<!;7!F9D1:N=(!17!;F#;!F:!8#$!1#<!7=!F9D1:N=!WF7!F:!91%]
/
!
!!!!!!
S:9>:CC:2!;F:2:M<!8N#29=9:1!;F:!J#2#D:;:21!7=!;F91!1J:89=98!M:9$C!>:=9$:>!M<!T9:;U8F:(!1F:!91!;F:!
7$:! WF7! 91! #W#2:! :$7@CF! ;7!F#K:! 2:#N9U:>! ;F#;! ;F:2:! :Z91;1! $7! F7D:! M@;! ;F:! F7D:! W9;F9$!
7$:1:N=(! ;F:! P$7W9$C! 7=! 7$:1:N=%! h8872>9$C! ;7! ;F:1:! 2#;F:2! D:;#JF<198#N!87$8:J;1! J71:>! M<!
T9:;U8F:!#$>!S:9>:CC:2(!#$!#@;7$7D7@1!9$>9K9>@#N!91!;7!D#P:!#!37@2$:<!;7W#2>1!F:21:N=(!=#8:!
F:21:N=(!P$7W!F:21:N=(!#$>!>:89>:!9=!;F:!N9=:!1F:!91!N:#>9$C!91!W72;F!N9K9$C!9$$@D:2#MN:!;9D:1%!!
!!!!!!
e:N9:K9$C!9$!WF#;!W#1!:N#M72#;:>(!;F:2:!91!$7!JF<198#N!1:$1:! 9$!;F:!87$8:J;!7=!F7D:87D9$C!M@;!
;F:! P$7W9$C! #$>! #88:J;#$8:! 7=! WF#;! 7$:! 91(! WF98F! ;F:$! J@;1! @1! @$>:2! ;F:! M@2>:$! 7=! #$!
9DD:#1@2#MN:!2:1J7$19M9N9;<(!WF98F!B@$>:2#!8#NN1!YF:#K9$:11]%!
!
FVYE@VY?8Z)?8)VE=?:T+).E[)!@@V.=?8Z)DV)@!Y:HEUUR+)YV=EU)
h8872>9$C! ;7! H#DJM:NN^1! D7>:N(! ;F:! F:27! 1;#2;1! F91! 37@2$:<! 9$! 72>:2! ;7! #8F9:K:! #! >:192:>!
7@;87D:(! WF98F! 9$! R:>9J@1^1! 8#1:! 91! $7;! ;@2$9$C! 7@;! ;7! M:! #! D@2>:2:2m! #! J27JF:8<! F:! =:N;!
:$;2#JJ:>! 9$%! S:! =N::1! H729$;F! 9$! ;F91! F7J:(! C:;1! 9$;7! #$! #K79>#MN:! =9CF;! #$>! P9NN1! _#9@1(! ;F:!
F#2>1F9J!;7!>:#N!W9;F!;7!C27W!#8872>9$C!;7!;F:!;2#>9;97$#N!D7>:N!7=!;F:!D<;F!7=!F7D:87D9$C!
W7@N>!M:!;7!#K79>!#8;9$C!@J7$!F91!#227C#$8:!#$>!87$1:X@:$;N<!D@2>:29$C!#!F@D#$!M:9$C%!S:(!
F9D1:N=! >7:1! #>D9;! ;F#;! ;F:! 7$:! #$>! 7$N<! 2:#17$! =72! D@2>:29$C! _#9@1! F#1! M::$! 2#C:%! S:!
2:87@$;1!F7W!F:!87DD9;;:>!;F:!D@2>:2%!
Oedipus$$$$And$then$a$herald$come$towards$me,$and$a$chariot$
Drawn$by$horses,$with$a$man$such$as$you$describe$
Seated$in$it.$The$groom$leading$the$horses$
Forced$me$off$the$road$at$his$Lord’s$command;$
But$as$this$charioteer$lurched$over$towards$me$
I$struck$him$in$my$rage.$The$old$man$saw$me$
And$brought$his$double$goad$down$upon$my$head$
As$I$come$abreast.$
He$was$paid$back$and$more!$
Swinging$my$club$in$this$right$hand$I$knocked$him$
Out$of$his$car,$and$he$rolled$on$the$ground$
I$killed$him.$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$(II.$279-290)$
!
[F<!;F:!7N>!D#$!D@1;!F#K:!M::$!J#9>!D72:(!2:D#9$1!#!D<1;:2<(!#!=7@N!#8;(!W9;F!WF98F!R:>9J@1!
W7@N>!M:!;F:!7$N<!N9K9$C!17@N!=::N1!87$;:$;%!S:!87@N>!F#K:!:#19N<!#K79>:>!;F:!D#$1N#@CF;:2(!F#>!
F:!$7;!M::$!MN#;#$;N<!#227C#$;%!
!!!!!!
S:!@1:1!F91!9$;:NN:8;(!17NK:1!;F:!6JF9$Z^1!29>>N:(!1#K:1!;F:!89;<%!L;!91!82@89#N!=72!@1!$7;!;7!$:CN:8;!
;F:!=#8;!;F#;!R:>9J@1! 91! $7;! #$! 72>9$#2<!M:9$C(! 1J:89=98#NN<! 9$! ;F:!W72N>!7=!#$89:$;!l2::8:%!S:!
M:N7$C1!;7!;F:!#2:$#!7=!1:D9VF@D#$N<!1:D9VC7>N<!#;;29M@;:1(!#1!;F:!J29:1;!J@;1!9;*!
Priest$$$...$you$saved$us$$
From$the$Sphinx,$that$flinty$singer,$and$the$tribute$
We$paid$to$her$so$long;$yet$you$were$never$
Better$informed$than$we,$nor$could$we$teach$you:$
A$god’s$touch,$it$seems,$enabled$you$to$help$us.
9
$$$$(I.$38-42)$
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!
!
/
!Q#2;9$! S:9>:CC:2( ! T9:;U18F:(! f7N! LL(! ;2#$1%! M<!G#K9>! b#22:NN! B2:NN(! a6#$!b2#$89187*!S#2J:2! H7NN9$1(! +g-gV+g/-d(!
&+&%!
g
!67JF78N:1(!R:>9J@1!OF:!B9$C(!;2#$1%!G@>N:<!b9;;1!#$>!`7M:2;!b9;UC:2#N>(!aH#N9=72$9#*!S#287@2;!L$8%*!+g--d!

h>K#$8:1!9$!6789#N!689:$8:1!`:1:#28F!"7@2$#N!ah66`"d!
f7N%-(!L11@:!+!"#$V&)&)!
!
!
@,AB/*C0<!5!6789:;<!=72!689:$8:!#$>!?>@8#;97$(!A$9;:>!B9$C>7D!
!
!
++'!
[:! #2:! ;F@1! 1J:#P9$C! 7=! R:>9J@1(! #! F:27! 1J:89=98#NN<! J2#91:>! =72! F91! C7>VN9P:! W91>7D! M7;F!
W9;F9$!#$>! 7@;19>:! ;F:! =98;97$#N! W72N>%!h$>! <:;! 9;! =#9N1! F9D! WF:$! 9;! 87D:1! ;7! C79$C! F7D:(!
;7W#2>1!F91!M:9$C(!F91! :11:$8:%!OF:!K:2<!=921;!19C$!7=! F91! 9$#>:X@#;:!P$7WN:>C:! 91! #! >2#D#;98!
927$<!J98;@2:>!;F27@CF!F91!W72>1!WF:$!F:!#>>2:11:1!;F:!89;9U:$1!7=!OF:M:1!9$!1<DJ#;F<*!
Oedipus$$$$Sick$as$you$are,$not$one$is$as$sick$as$I.$$
$(I.$63)$
!
R$:!91!;7!9$;:2J2:;!;F:!>9#N7C@:1!#$>!1;<N:1!7=!;F:!=98;97$#N!W72N>!87$19>:29$C!;F:!C:$2:!#$>!;F:!
87$;:Z;! #1! RN1:$! 2:D#2P1! 9$! 2:C#2>! W9;F! R:>9J@1n1! #M9N9;<! ;7! 1::! #$>! O:92:19#1^1! MN9$>$:11*!
YH7$19>:2!;F:!#C7$!M:;W::$!O:92:19#1!#$>!R:>9J@1!9$!B9$C!R:>9J@1(!WF:2:!;F:2:!91!#!$@DM:2!7=!
1@J:2=989#N!J#2#>7Z:1!#$>!17D:!=72!2:#8F9$C!927$<*!;F:!MN9$>!D#$!WF7!8#$!1::!;F:!;2@;F(!;F:!
1::9$C!D#$!WF7!91!MN9$>!;7!9;%]
+)
!h1!=72!R:>9J@1^1!W72>1!#M7K:(!9;!91!;F:!J@2:!;2@;F!;F#;!F:!91!;F:!
D#$9=:1;#;97$!7=!198P$:11!9;1:N=(!F:!91!87DJN:;:N<!@$#W#2:!7=!9;%!!
!!!!!!
R:>9J@1(!@$>7@M;:>N<!:$37<1!;F:!J7W:2!C9K:$!;7!F9D!#1!;F:!P9$C!7=!OF:M:1(!F91!:C7!91!W:NNV=:>(!
17!=@NN<!=:>!;F#;!:K:$!;F:!;F7@CF;!7=!=#89$C!;F:!87$1:X@:$8:1!F91!:K9N!>::>1!;@2$1!F9D!9$;7!#!=7@N!
1J:#P9$C!=9C@2:%!S:!F#1!C7;! ;7! >:=N:8;!WF#;! F:!1:$1:1!7$!#!>::J:2!N:K:N!7=!F9D1:N=!;7!;F:!7$:!
>:K79>!7=!C@9N;*!
Oedipus$$$$Suppose$the$oracle$had$given$you$no$command$
Should$this$defilement$go$uncleansed$for$ever?$
You$should$have$found$the$murderer;$your$king,$
A$noble$king,$had$been$destroyed!$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$(II.$38-41)$
$
OF:!2:1J7$19M9N9;<!F:!91!87$>:D$9$C!;F:!WF7N:!OF:M:1!7=!9C$729$C!N9:1!7$!F91!1F7@N>:21!#1!W:NN%!
[#1!F:!$7;!;7!X@:1;97$1!;F:!#M1:$8:!7=!;F:!P9$C!7$8:!F:!:$;:2:>!;F:!89;<!;29@DJF#$;N<!;7!M:#2!
;F:!;F27$:!7$!F91!F:#>\!
!!!!!!
L;!$7! >7@M;! F#1!M::$!N:=;! 9$!;F:! F#$>1!7=! ;F:!F:27!;7! M:!W72;F<! #$>!9=! $7;!M:87D:! W72;F<!7=!
M:9$C! W:N87D:>! ;7! F91! F7D:! 7$! ;F:! K:2C:! 7=! F7D:87D9$C%! R:>9J@1! W#1! 8:2;#9$N<! F:N>!
2:1J7$19MN:!;7!F#K:!D#>:!F9D1:N=!>:1:2K9$C!7=!OF:M:1^1!7J:$!#2D1!;7!F7N>!F9D!@$87$>9;97$#NN<!
F:$8:=72;F%!S91!>912:C#2>!=72!;F:!N9=:!7=! #$7;F:2!91!;F:!;9:! F:!F9D1:N=!F#1!J@;!7$!;F:!F#$>1!7=!
F7D:(! OF:M:1(! ;7! $:K:2! #C#9$! W:N87D:! F9D%! L;! 91! #! 19DJN:! :X@#;97$(! 7@2! C7>N<!F:27! 91! $7;!
W:N87D:>!;7!;F:!:;:2$#N!1#$8;@#2<!F:!729C9$#NN<!M:N7$C1!;7!19$8:!F:!=#9N1!F91!9$9;9#;97$(!19$8:!F:!
J29729;9U:1! ;F:!N 9=:! 7=! 17D:! 7K:2! ;F:! N9=:!7=! 7;F:21%! OF:! D@2>:29$C! 7=! #! 1;2#$C:2! 91! $7;F9$C! ;7!
F9D(!#$>!;F@1!F:!=#9N1!;7!#8F9:K:!#!8:2;#9$!D#;@29;<!;F#;!91!:ZJ:8;:>!=27D!F9D!#1!_::!Q72C#$!:;%!
hNN!8N#29=<*!YOF:!F:27!@$>:2C7:1!#!1:29:1!7=!:Z82@89#;9$C!72>:#N1!9$!J#119$C!=27D!9C$72#$8:!#$>!
9DD#;@29;<!;7!1789#N!#$>!1J929;@#N!#>@N;F77>(!;F#;!91(!9$!#8F9:K9$C!D#;@29;<!#$>!M:87D9$C!#!=@NNV
=N:>C:>!D:DM:2!7=!F91!72!F:2!1789#N!C27@J%%%!_9P:!;F:!X@:1;(!;F91!91!#!K#29#;97$!7=!;F:!>:#;FV#$>V
2:M92;F! #28F:;<J:%]
++
!R:>9J@1! >7:1! $7;! 1@88::>! 9$! 1F:>>9$C! ;F:! 9C$72#$8:! 8N7#P! 9$! 72>:2! ;7!
2:;@2$!F7D:(!9$1;:#>(!F:!87$>:D$1!F9D1:N=!7=!:;:2$#N!F7D:N:11$:11%!!
!!!!!!
h8872>9$C!;7!H#DJM:NN^1!D7>:N(!OF:M:1!$:K:2!;@2$1!9$;7!;F:!1#$8;@#2<!9;!91!:ZJ:8;:>!;7!M:87D:(!
#1!R:>9J@1!$:K:2!#NN7W1!9;!;7!M:(!F:!>:J29K:1!F9D1:N=!7=!2:;@2$9$C!;7!#!F7D:!F:!>:1:2K:>!F#>!F:!
$7;!D@2>:2:>!#!F@D#$!M:9$C!#$>!F#>!F:!$7;!=:N;!K98;7297@1!9$!1@88:1197$%!S:!F#1!$7!8F798:!M@;!
;7!29>!F9D1:N=!7=!F91!9DD#;@29;<!#$>!#227C#$8:(!;7!=#8:!F91!MN9$>$:11!#1!7JJ71:>!;7!O:92:19#1^1!
W91>7D! #$>! 91! N:=;! W9;F! $7! 8F798:! M@;!;7! :Z9N:! F9D1:N=%! R:>9J@1! >7:1! $7;! 1@88::>! 9$! C:;;9$C!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!
!
+)
!6;:9$!S#@C7D!RN1:$(!YOF:!Q:#$9$C!7=!#!_9;:2#2<![72P]!9$!T:W!_9;:2#2<!S91;72<(!E27MN:D1!7=!_9;:2#2<!OF:72<(!
f7N%!+&(!T7%!+(!ae#N;9D72:*!"7F$!S7JP9$1!A$9K:219;<!E2:11*!+g/&d(!&-%!
++
!":#$$:! H#DJM:NN! `::1D#$(! "7F$! `%! [9NN9$CF#D(! _::! Q72C#$(! ?#2N:! _#M72(! [9N=2:>! _%! l@:29$(! A$ Handbook$ of$
Critical$approaches$to$Literature(!aT:W!I72P*!RZ=72>!@$9K:219;<!E2:11(!&))'d(!+/,%!

Pakdamanshahri, F. S. (2020). The Eternal Ret urn: The Heaviest of the Burdens. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 7(1) 112-124.
!
!
!
++4!
T.U>)F;;J*00>Z%>79%72C0+)%+,-./0#1123%-+%-4&'%)
!
F7D:!9$!;F:! J:#8:=@N!1:$1:!7=!;F:!D<;F(!F:!>7:1!2:;@2$! ;7! F91!C:7C2#JF98#N! 729C9$(!F7W:K:2(!
;2#C98#NN<%!hFN! J27K9>:1! @1! W9;F! #! 2#;F:2! 9$8N@19K:! 2:#>9$C! 7=! $7;! 7$N<! R:>9J@1^1! :Z91;:$;9#N!
=#9N@2:!M@;!2#;F:2!:K:2<!7;F:2!F@D#$!M:9$C%!
“We$readers$[of$ Sophocles’$Oedipus]$may$become$ Oedipus$like$if$ we$assume$that$ the$
myth$is$a$“given”,$that$it$is$“fate”,$and$that$the$hero,$the$self,$is$the$only$character$who$
has$motives$and$ambitions.$We$can$remain$as$oblivious$to$its$[the$play’s]$pluralism$as$
Oedipus.$But$we$do$not$have$to.”
12
$
)
FVYE@VY?8Z)?8)VE=?:T+).E[)!@@V.=?8Z)DV)8?ED\+@FE)!8=)FE?=EZZE.R+)YV=EU)
H7$19>:29$C!R:>9J@1!;F:!B9$C!M#1:>!7$!;F:!;F7@CF;1!7=!T9:;U8F:!#$>!S:9>:CC:2(!R:>9J@1!1;#2;1!
F91! 37@2$:<! ;7W#2>1! 1:N=VP$7WN:>C:(! #N;F7@CF! @$87$1897@1N<! #$>! @$P$7W9$CN<%!S:! >7:1! 17!
9$9;9#NN<!;7! #K79>! =@N=9NN9$C! ;F:! J27JF:8<%!?K:$;@#NN<(!F:!:$>1!@J! >79$C! ;F:!@$1J:#P#MN:!>::>1!
#$>!;F:$!87D:1!;F:!;9D:!;7!=#8:!;F:!87$1:X@:$8:1(!;F:!D7D:$;!7=!;2@;F%!S91!N#8P!7=!#W#2:$:11!
D#$9=:1;1! 9;1:N=! M2#U:$! WF:$! 9;! 87D:1! ;7! F9D! 1F7W9$C!F91! 87DD9;D:$;! ;7! >91J719$C! 7=! ;F:!
JN#C@:!1@227@$>9$C!OF:M:1%!
Kreon$$$$Then$I$will$tell$you$what$I$heard$at$Delphi$
In$plain$words$
The$god$commands$us$to$expel$from$the$land$of$Thebes$
An$old$defilement$we$are$sheltering$
It$is$a$deathly$thing$beyond$cure;$
We$must$not$let$it$feed$upon$us$longer.$$$$$$$$$$$$(I.$97-102)$
$
OF:!7$:!M:<7$>!8@2:!91!$7!>7@M;!R:>9J@1!F9D1:N=%!hN#1(!F:!91!MN9$>!;7!;F:!>:=9N:D:$;!F:!8#229:1!
W9;F9$!F91! F:#2;! #1! l29==9;F!J@;1!9;*!YOF91!D#$(!WF7!P$7W1!7=!F91!9C$72#$8:(!#8;1!$7;!7$8:! M@;!
2:J:#;:>N<!#1!;F7@CF! F:!W:2:!J29K<!:K:$!;7!F9>>:$!=#8;1(!;2:#;9$C! ;F:!D#$<!JF#$;#1D1!7=!F91!
9D#C9$#;97$(!#1!;F7@CF!;F:<!W:2:!D#$9=:1;!2:K:N#;97$1%]
+.
!
b@2;F:2!7$!F91!2:1J7$1:!91*!
Oedipus$$$$Then$once$more$I$must$bring$what$is$dark$to$light.$(I.$134)$
$
[F#;!F:!1#<1!$7;!7$N<!91!#$7;F:2!J:2=:8;!:Z#DJN:!7=!;F:!>2#D#;98!927$<!7=!F7W!=#2! F:! 91!=27D!
;F:!;2@:!:11:$8:!7=!F91!:Z91;:$8:!#$>!F91!>::>1(!M@;!9;!J79$;1!7@;!;F:!=#8;!;F#;!WF:$!9;!87D:1!;7!
YM29$C9$C!>#2P!;7!N9CF;]!7=!#$<!172;(!F:!W7@N>!M:!;F:!N#1;!J:217$!;7!8#NN!7$%!!!
!
S:! 91! >:;:2D9$:>! 9$! F91! $:W! D91197$! o29>>9$C! OF:M:1! 7=! :K9NV! M<! #NN! D:#$1! :K:$! 9=! 9;! :$;#9N1!
@$1F9:N>9$C!17D:7$:!#P9$!;7!F9D1:N=%!
Oedipus:$$$$And$as$for$me,$this$curse$applies$no$less$
If$it$should$turn$out$that$the$culprit$is$my$guest$here,$
Sharing$my$hearth.$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
(II.$2-34)$
!
S:(!#11@2:>N<!1F7W1!F91!1:$1:!7=!3@1;98:(!F91!@;D71;!N7<#N;<!;7!;F:!;2@;F%!T7;F9$C!D#;;:21!;7!F9D!
WF:$!9;!87D:1!;7!;F:!1#K9$C!7=!;F:!J:7JN:!7=!OF:M:1!#$>!OF:M:1!9;1:N=(!:K:$!9=!;F:<!1F7@N>!1F#2:!
;F:!1#D:!YF:#2;F](!V;F:!D@2>:2:2!#$>!R:>9J@1%!I:;!;F91!1:$1:!7=!3@1;98:!#$>!F91!N7<#N;<!;7!9;!N#1;1!
7$N<!9$!;F:!87$>9;97$!;F#;!F:!91!$7;!;F:!7$:!@$>:2!182@;9$<%!R$8:!O:92:19#1!2:K:#N1!;F:!;2@;F!;7!
F9D(!87D:1!#$7;F:2!#8;!7=!>:=N:8;97$!19$8:!F:!8#$$7;!M:#2!;7!1::!;F:!2:#N!:11:$8:!7=!F9D1:N=%!S:!
#88@1:1!B2:7$!7=!F#K9$C!#1P:>!O:92:19#1!;7!N9:!;7!M29$C!F9D!#!P9$C>7D!;7!>77D%!!
$
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!
!
+&
!b2:>:298P!hFN(!Sophocles’$Oedipus:$Evidence$and$Self$Conviction(!a_7$>7$*!H72$:NN!A$9K:219;<!E2:11(!+gg+d(!&4&%!
+.
!`%!G2:W!l29==9;F(!h11:2;9$C!?;:2$#N!E27K9>:$8:*! OF:7>98<! 9$! 67JF78N:1^!YR:>9J@1!;F:!B9$C](!9$! LNN9$791!HN#1198#N!
6;@>9:1(!f7N%!+-(!T7%!&(!ab#NN!+gg&d(!JJ%!+g.V&++(!&),%!

h>K#$8:1!9$!6789#N!689:$8:1!`:1:#28F!"7@2$#N!ah66`"d!
f7N%-(!L11@:!+!"#$V&)&)!
!
!
@,AB/*C0<!5!6789:;<!=72!689:$8:!#$>!?>@8#;97$(!A$9;:>!B9$C>7D!
!
!
++-!
Oedipus$$$$Tell$me,$in$God’s$name:$am$I$a$coward,$a$fool,$
That$you$should$dream$you$could$accomplish$this?$
A$fool$who$could$not$see$your$slippery$game?$
A$coward$not$to$fight$back$when$I$saw$it?$
(II.$24-7)$
$
L;! 91! D72:! ;F#$! 927$98%! L;! 91! ;2#C98! ;F#;! F:! ;#P:1! F9D1:N=! =72! $7! =77N! 72! #! 87W#2>(! #$>! <:;! F:!
:DM7>9:1!;F:D! M7;F%! R:>9J@1! 91! #! =77N(! #1! F:! 2:=@1:1! ;7!#88:J;! ;F:! P$7WN:>C:!#;! F#$>(!#$>! #!
87W#2>(!19$8:!F:!F#1!=:#2:>!;7!N71:!F91!N9=:!17!D@8F!;F#;!F:!D@2>:2:>!_#9@1!#$>!#JJ27#8F:>!;F:!
J27JF:8<! W9;F! 1F::2! #JJ2:F:$197$! ;F#;! F:! W#1! 7$N<! 8#J#MN:! 7=! #$;989J#;9$C! #$! :18#J:! =27D!
H729$;F%! h$>!<:;! #C#9$! F:!J#2#>:1! F91!1:$1:! 7=!3@1;98:! 7$8:!F:!>2:#D1!7=! 7;F:21! #1!M:9$C!;F:!
1@M3:8;1!;7!9;%!S:!;F9$P1!B2:7$!F#1!#;;:DJ;:>!#$!#8;!7=!;2:#17$(!WF98F!>:1:2K:1!;7!M:!>:#N;!W9;F!
$7;F9$C!M@;!3@1;98:*!
Oedipus$$$$If$you$think$a$man$can$sin$against$his$own$kind$
And$not$be$punished$for$it,$I$say$you$are$mad.$$$$$
$(II.$39-40)$
$
R$:!7=! ;F:!=#8;721!;F#;!JN#8:1!R:>9J@1!=#2!=27D!;F:!K989119;@>:!7=!M:9$C!#!jH7$K#N:18:$;^!91!F91!
9$>:8919K:$:11!9$!F9D!M:9$C!=2::!72!9$!;F:!M7@$>#29:1!7=!C7>1%!L;!91!8N:#2!;F#;!F:!F#1!>:89>:>!;7!
=N::!H729$;F!19$8:!F:!M:N9:K:1!9$!=#;:(! #$>! WF#;!F#1!M::$!W29;;:$!=72!F9D!M<!;F:!C7>1%!h$>!<:;(!
D#$<! ;9D:1! F:! F7N>1! F9D1:N=! 2:1J7$19MN:! =72! F#K9$C! 1:;! OF:M:1! =2::! =27D! ;F:! :K9N1! 7=! ;F:!
6JF9$Z%!S:!2:=:21!;7!F91!1@JJ71:>N<!F:2798!#8;!7$8:!F:!1#<1*!
Oedipus$$$$Then$once$more$I$must$bring$what$is$dark$to$light.$
$($I.$134)$
!
HN:#2N<(! F:! 1#<1! Y7$8:! D72:]! #1! F:! M:N9:K:1! ;F#;! F:! F#1! >7$:! 9;! M:=72:%! S:! 87$19>:21! F9D1:N=!
8#J#MN:!7=!C7>N<!#8;1%!
!!!!!!
S7W:K:2(!7$8:!F:!=9$>1!7@;!#M7@;!F91!D@2>:29$C!F91!=#;F:2(!F:!MN#D:1!;F:!C7>1!#C#9$*!
Oedipus$$$$If$I$was$created$so,$born$to$this$fate,$
Who$could$deny$the$savagery$of$God?$
$(II.$303-4)$
!
h$>!F:!$:K:2!1@88::>1!9$!#>D9;;9$C!;7!F9D1:N=!;F#;!;F:!D@2>:2!F#1!$7;!M::$!;F:!7$N<!7J;97$(!#1!
l29==9;F! J@;1! 9;*! Y_9P:W91:! #;! ;F:! 8271127#>1(! F:! #8;:>! VP$7W9$CN<! #$>! <:;! #1! ;F7@CF!
@$P$7W9$CN<V!9$!9C$72#$8:!2:8PN:11N<!=#9N9$C!;7!<9:N>!WF:$!9;!W#1!D72#N!#$>!87$K:$9:$;!;7!>7!
17%]!
+,
OF:2:! 91! $7! 7;F:2! :ZJN#$#;97$! =72! #! F@D#$! M:9$C! WF7! 2:C#2>1! F9D1:N=! 7=! F#K9$C! ;F:!
J7W:2!7=!M29$C9$C!#!WF7N:!89;<!=27D!>#2P$:11!;7!N9CF;!;W98:(!#1!D#$<!;9D:1!#1!9;!;#P:1!=72!;F#;!
D#;;:2(!#$>!<:;!M:N9:K:1!;F#;!9;!W#1!7$!;F:! Y1#K#C:2<]!7=!l7>!;F#;!F#>! M27@CF;!F9D!;7! 1@8F!#!
D91:2<!#$>!W2:;8F:>$:11%!R:>9J@1!=#9N1!F9D1:N=!9$!P$7W9$C!F9D1:N=%!!
!!!!!!
R$8:!#C#9$!F:!M:N9:K:1!F:!91!>#D$:>m!;F#;!91(!9;!F#1!$7;!M::$!F9D!M:F9$>!;F:!WF::N(!M@;!;F:!=#;:!
;F#;!F#1!M27@CF;!F91!>7W$=#NN%!
Oedipus$$$$O$Light,$may$I$look$on$you$for$the$last$time!$
I,$Oedipus,$
Oedipus$damned$in$his$birth,$in$his$marriage$damned,$
Damned$in$the$blood$he$shed$with$his$own$hand!$
(IV.$70-73)$
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!
!
+,
!LM9>(!&)'%!

Pakdamanshahri, F. S. (2020). The Eternal Ret urn: The Heaviest of the Burdens. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 7(1) 112-124.
!
!
!
++/!
T.U>)F;;J*00>Z%>79%72C0+)%+,-./0#1123%-+%-4&'%)
!
S:!F#1!C7;!;7!C7!7$!:Z9N:!#1!9=!;F:!37@2$:<!=72!F9D!F#1!C7;!;7!1;#2;!17!;F#;!F:! 87@N>!N77P!W9;F9$!
#$>!=9$>!7@;!WF<!F:!F#1!>7$:!17!2#;F:2!;F#$!D:2:N<!7M1:119$C!7K:2!WF#;!F:!F#1!>7$:%!S:!F#1!
#8;:>!@J7$!F91!=:#2%!S:!F#1!M::$!:Z;2:D:N<!#227C#$;!;7!F#K:!87DD9;;:>!#! D@2>:2!=27D!WF98F!
;F:2:!W#1!#$!:#1<!W#<!7@;(!1;#<9$C!7==!;F:!27#>!#$>!N:;;9$C!;F:!#227C#$;!27#D!9;%!
!
L1! ;F91! #! N9=:! F:! W7@N>! M:! W9NN9$C! ;7! N9K:! 9$$@D:2#MN:! ;9D:1! 9$! T9:;U8F9#$! 1:$1:! 7=! :;:2$#N!
2:;@2$\! [7@N>! F:! M:! #MN:! ;7! 3@1;9=<! ;7! F9D1:N=! ;F#;! F91! N9=:! 91! W72;F! N9K9$C! 7K:2! #$>! 7K:2\! L!
M:N9:K:! $7;%!OF:! X@:1;97$!7=! 8F7719$C!F:#K9$:11!7K:2! N9CF;$:11! 72!7;F:2W91:!91! D#>:!8N:#2! M<!
R:>9J@1!F9D1:N=*!
Oedipus$$$$If$only$I$had$died,$
This$weight$of$monstrous$doom$
Could$not$have$dragged$me$and$my$darlings$down.$
$(IV.$128-130)$$
$
R:>9J@1^1!=9$#N!W72>1!17!K9K9>N<!:ZJ71:!;F:!#@>9:$8:!;7!;F:!=#8;!;F#;!9$!S:9>:CC:29#$!1:$1:!7=!
;F:!D<;F!7=!F7D:87D9$C(!R:>9J@1!$:K:2!1@88::>1!9$!;:NN9$C!F9D1:N=!WF7!F:!91*!
Oedipus$$$$For$I$am$sick$
In$my$own$being,$sick$in$my$origin.$
$(IV.$170-1)$
$
L$!#!D7>:2$!W72N>!W9;F!#!D7>:2$!W72N>K9:W(!7$:!>7:1!2:#N9U:!;F#;!$7!7$:!91!198P!9$!;F:92!729C9$!
@$N:11!;F:<!F#K:!W9NN9$CN<!MN9$>:>!;F:D1:NK:1!#$>!MN#D:>!;F:92!=#;:!=72!;F:92!>79$C1!#$>!M:9$C%!
hFN!87$8N@>:1!R:>9J@1^1!1;#;:!7=!D9$>!#2;91;98#NN<*!
“Although$ it$ would$ be$ hard,$ if$ not$ impossible,$ to$ argue$ that$ Oedipus$ is$ entirely$
innocent$(the$scars$on$his$ankle$suggest$otherwise),$it$should$be$clear$from$the$above$
examples$ that$ Sophocles’$ play$ is$ as$ much$ about$ his$ ultimate$ self-deception$ as$ it$ is$
about$his$final$self-discovery.$Through$his$rash$judgments,$Oedipus$allows$others$–the$
drunk$at$ the$banquet,$ Creon,$Teiresias,$ the$messenger-$to$ define$his$ identity$and$ his$
past.$He$ is$ thus,$responsible$for$the$outcome,$not$because$ of$a$definitely$proven$guilt,$
but$ because$ he$ resigns$the$ freedom$ of$ self-determination,$ opting$ to$ accept$ others’$
versions$of$his$past$and$his$actions.$”
15
$
!
OF@1(! R:>9J@1!$:K:2! 2:;@2$1! F7D:%!S:! =#9N1! F9D1:N=! 9$! ;F:! 37@2$:<! 7=! Y1:N=V>9187K:2<]!S91!
F7D:87D9$C!91!;F#;!7=!;F:!D<;F98#N!#$>!C:7C2#JF98#N!=72!#!;9D:!M:9$C(!F7W:K:2(!$7;!7=!;F:!172;!
>:=9$:>!M<!S:9>:CC:2!#$>!T9:;U8F:(!#!2:;@2$!;7!7$:1:N=(!#!1:N=VP$7WN:>C:%!!
!
FVYE@VY?8Z)?8)DFE)T8HE!.!HUE)U?ZFD8E++)VI)HE?8Z)!@@V.=?8Z)DV)@!Y:HEUUR+)
YV=EU)
h1! =72! O7D#1(! ;F:! J27;#C7$91;! 9$! The$ Unbearable$ Lightness$ of$ Being(! F:!91! ;72$! M:;W::$! F91!
:27;98! =29:$>1F9J1! W9;F! W7D:$! WF98F! 2:J2:1:$;! ;F:! jN9CF;$:11^! 7=! F91! N9=:! #$>! ;F:! 87$1;#$;!
J2:1:$8:! #$>! >:J:$>:$8:! 7=! O:2:U#(! 2:X@929$C! jF:#K9$:11^! 7$! F91! J#2;%! S91!37@2$:<! F7D:!
#8872>9$C!;7!H#DJM:NN^1!D7>:N!>7:1!9$!#!1:$1:!;#P:!JN#8:(!F7W:K:2(!F:!;#P:1!#!M9CC:2!1;:J!;7!1:;!
F7D:!WF:2:!7$:!D9CF;!$7;!F#K:!87$19>:2:>%!!
!!!!!!
S91! N9=:! W9;F! #NN! 9;1! N9CF;$:11! 91! #M7@;! ;7! D7K:! ;7W#2>1! F:#K9$:11! M<! ;F:! #229K#N! 7=! O:2:U#%!
O7D#1!9$>::>!;F9$P1*!YS7W!D#$<!#$89:$;!D<;F1!M:C9$!W9;F!;F:!2:18@:!7=!#$!#M#$>7$:>!8F9N>p!
L=! E7N<M@1! F#>$^;! ;#P:$! 9$! ;F:! <7@$C! R:>9J@1(! 67JF78N:1! W7@N>$^;! F#K:! W29;;:$! F91! D71;!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!
!
+'
!b2:>:298P!hFN(!Sophocles’$Oedipus:$Evidence$and$Self$Conviction(!-.%!
!

h>K#$8:1!9$!6789#N!689:$8:1!`:1:#28F!"7@2$#N!ah66`"d!
f7N%-(!L11@:!+!"#$V&)&)!
!
!
@,AB/*C0<!5!6789:;<!=72!689:$8:!#$>!?>@8#;97$(!A$9;:>!B9$C>7D!
!
!
++g!
M:#@;9=@N!;2#C:><%]
+4
!S:2:(!F:! 91! 9DJN<9$C!;F#;!jD:#$9$C^!91!82:#;:>! M<!YD<;F](! ;F#;!YD<;F]!91!#!
2:J2:1:$;#;9K:!7=!N9=:!#$>!F#1!$7!>7@M;(!277;1!9$!2:18@9$C!#!8F9N>%!
!!!!!!
O7D#1!W:N87D:1!;F91!8F#$C:!o;F:!#229K#N!7=!#!8F9N>!9$!;F:!M#1P:;(!O:2:U#V(!D7K:1!;7W#2>1!;F:!
F:#K9$:11(!9$8N@>9$C!N:;;9$C!O:2:U#!M:!>:J:$>#$;!7$!F9D(!F:!>:K91:1!#1!D#$<!D:#$9$C1!#1!F:!
>:192:1!=72!F9D1:N=!;7!#8;@#N9U:!F91!37@2$:<*!YS:!87@N>$^;!K:2<!W:NN!N:;!#!M#1P:;!W9;F!#!8F9N>!9$!9;!
=N7#;!>7W$!#!1;72D<!29K:2p! L=!;F:!EF#2#7F^1!>#@CF;:2!F#>$^;!1$#;8F:>!;F:!M#1P:;!8#22<9$C!N9;;N:!
Q71:1! =27D! ;F:! W#K:1(! ;F:2:! W7@N>! F#K:! M::$! $7! RN>! O:1;#D:$;(! $7! 89K9N9U#;97$! #1! W:! $7W!
P$7W! 9;%]
+-
!OF@1(!F:! 91! ;2<9$C! ;7! 87$K9$8:! F9D1:N=! ;F#;! 8F7719$C! F:#K9$:11! 7K:2! N9CF;$:11! 91! #!
D72:!JN#@19MN:!8F798:!=72! F9D! ;7! D#P:%!S:!3@Z;#J71:1!;F:!9D#C:!7=! Y89K9N9U#;97$]!W9;F!;F#;!7=!
YF:#K9$:11]!#$>!;F:2:M<!>:$7;:1!;F:!>91;9$8;$:11!7=!#!N9=:!;F#;!87$;#9$1!O:2:U#%!!
“...$he$thought$happily$that$he$carried$his$way$of$living$with$him$as$a$snail$carries$his$
house.$ Tereza$ and$ Sabina$ represented$ the$ two$ poles$ of$ his$ life,$ separate$ and$
irreconcilable,$yet$equally$appealing.”
18
$
!!
O:2:U#!91!1;298P:$!M<!F7D:198P$:11!9$! k@298F(!#W#2:!;F#;!9;! 91! F:2! WF7! W:9CF1! O7D#1! >7W$(!
>:89>:1! ;7! 2:;@2$! ;7! E2#C@:! W9;F7@;! O7D#1%! O7D#1! 91!N:=;! 9$! #! >9N:DD#! 7=! N:#>9$C! ;F:!1:D9V
F:#K9$:11!72>:#N!F:!F#1!>:89>:>!;7!C7!;F27@CF!oF91!9$9;9#;97$V!72!;7!;#P:!#!2#;F:2!87$19>:2#MN<!
N#2C:!1;:J!M#8P!;7W#2>1!jN9CF;$:11^!#1!9=!$7!=77;!W#1!:K:2!1:;!9$!#!37@2$:<%!
“The$realization$that$he$was$truly$powerless$was$like$the$blow$of$a$sledgehammer,$yet$
it$ was$ curiously$calming$ as$ well.$No$ one$ was$forcing$ him$ into$ a$ decision.$ He$ felt$ no$
need$to$stare$at$the$walls$of$the$houses$across$the$ courtyard$and$ponder$whether$to$
live$with$her$or$not.$Tereza$had$made$the$decision$herself.”
19
$
!
?K:$;@#NN<(!9;!;#P:1!F9D!=9K:!>#<1!;7!2:;@2$!F7D:!9$!9;1!C:7C2#JF98#N!1:$1:(!#$>!7$N<!#!=:W!>#<1!
;7! 2:#N9U:! ;F#;! E2#C@:! W9NN! $7;! ;#P:! F9D! 9$! 9$! F:2! #2D1%! [:! 2:D:DM:2! ;F#;! R:>9J@1! F#1!
W27$C:>!OF:M:1!;F27@CF!F91!MN9$>$:11!#$>!#227C#$8:(!#$>!;F#;!W#1!WF<!F:!:K:$;@#NN<!>9>!$7;!
2:D#9$!#$!9$>9K9>@#N!WF7!C:;1!;7!2:;@2$!F7D:%!L$!;F:!8#1:!7=!O7D#1(!9;!91!;F:!F7D:!9;1:N=!;F#;!91!
$7;!F7D:!#$<D72:(!9;!E2#C@:!#$>!;F:!$:W!H7DD@$91;!2:C9D:!;F#;!>7:1!$7;!>:1:2K:!O7D#1%!S:!
1:$1:1!;F:!>9==98@N;<!7=!2:;@2$9$C!F7D:(!WF:2:#1(!9$!H#DJM:NN^1!D<;F7N7C98#N!D7>:N(!;F:!F:27^1!
J#2#D7@$;! W91F! 91! ;7! M:! #W#2>:>! M<! 2:;@2$9$C! F7D:%! O7D#1! =9$>1! 9;! :Z;2:D:N<! >9==98@N;*!
YB#2:$9$! D#>:! ;F:! F7D:87D9$C! :#19:2! M<! 3@DJ9$C! @J! 7$! F9D! #$>! N98P9$C! F91! =#8:%]
&)
!S#1!
O7D#1!$7;!#887DJN91F:>!:$7@CF!9$!F91!9$9;9#;97$!72!91!9;!;F:!F7D:!;F#;!91!D:2:N<!#!F7D:!9$!9;1!
C:7C2#JF98#N!1:$1:\!
!!!!!!
O7D#1! 91! M#8P! 9$!E2#C@:! ;7! J27;:8;! ;F:! jF:#K9$:11^(! ;7! =#8:!;F:! 87$1:X@:$8:1! 7=! F91! J7N9;98#N!
9>:$;9;<! WF98F! 91! :9;F:2! 2:;2#8;9$C! F91! J7N9;98#N! J@MN98#;97$! 7$! ;F:! 87$>:D$#;97$! 7=! ;F:!
H7DD@$91;1! 72!N719$C!F91! D:>98#N!N98:$1:%! S:! :$>1!@J!2:19C$9$C! =728:=@NN<(!#1! #;! ;F91!J79$;! F:!
M:N9:K:1!;F#;! 9;! 91!7$!F9D!;7!:DM7><!#!D7>:2$!R:>9J@1(!;7!#88:J;!WF#;!F:!F#1!>7$:!#$>!1;#$>!
M<!F91!#8;97$%!
!!!!!!
O7D#1! 91! 2:>@8:>! ;7! #! W9$>7W! W#1F:2! #$>! O:2:U#! :ZF#@1;1! F:21:N=! 9$! M#21%! OF91! 91! ;F:! N9=:!
F7D:!7==:21!;7!F:2!N7<#N!8F9N>2:$%!?K:$;@#NN<!87D:1!;F:!D7D:$;!WF:$!O:2:U#!W91F:1!;7!D7K:!
#W#<!#C#9$(! #$>!;F91!;9D:!O7D#1!F#1!2:#8F:>!;F:!2:#N9U#;97$!;F#;!;F:2:!:Z91;1!$7!F7D:!@$N:11!
;F:<!M@9N>!9;%!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!
!
+4
!Q9N#$!B@$>:2#(!The$unbearable$Lightness$of$Being(!+-%!
+-
!LM9>(!+'V+4%!
+/
!LM9>(!.,%!
+g
!LM9>(!.&%!
&)
!LM9>(!,)%!

Pakdamanshahri, F. S. (2020). The Eternal Ret urn: The Heaviest of the Burdens. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 7(1) 112-124.
!
!
!
+&)!
T.U>)F;;J*00>Z%>79%72C0+)%+,-./0#1123%-+%-4&'%)
!
“Tereza$paused$and$said$softly,$the$best$thing$to$do$would$be$to$move$away.$I$agree,$
said$Tomas,$but$there$is$nowhere$to$go.”$
21
$
!
O7D#1!#$>!O:2:U#!D7K:!;7!;F:!87@$;2<!;7!N9K:!19>:!M<!19>:!$#;@2:%!O7D#1!=9$>1!;F:!$:W!F7D:!
WF:2:!F:!F#1!$:K:2!>2:#D;!7=!72!9$;:$>:>!;7!M:!F7D:%!OF:!$:W!F7D:!91!F7D:!;7!F9D!M:8#@1:!
7=!;F:!J2:1:$8:!7=! O:2:U#(!WF#;!F#1!8F#$C:>!;F:!87@21:! 7=! F91 ! N9=:(! ;F:! >29K:! ;F #;! N:;! F9D! 1:;!
@J7$!;F:!37@2$:<(!F91!9$9;9#;97$%!
!
FVYE@VY?8Z)?8)DFE)T8HE!.!HUE)U?ZFD8E++)VI)HE?8Z)!@@V.=?8Z)DV)8?ED\+@FE)
!8=)FE?=EZZE.))
B@$>:2#!D#P:1!#!87DD:$;#2<!M:=72:!>:NK9$C!9$;7!;F:!$#22#;9K:!7=!O7D#1!#$>!O:2:U#!#;!;F:!
K:2<!M:C9$$9$C!7=!The$Unbearable$Lightness$of$Being*!]L$!;F:!W72N>!7=!:;:2$#N!2:;@2$!;F:!W:9CF;!
7=!@$M:#2#MN:!2:1J7$19M9N9;<!N9:1!F:#K<!7$!:K:2<!D7K:!W:!D#P:%!OF#;!91!WF<!T9:;U18F:!8#NN:>!
;F:!9>:#!7=!:;:2$#N!2:;@2$!;F:!F:#K9:1;!7=!M@2>:$1%]
&&
!h!=:W!J#11#C:1!#F:#>(!F:!=@2;F:2!8N#29=9:1*!
YOF:!F:#K9:1;!7=!M@2>:$1!91!;F:2:=72:!19D@N;#$:7@1N<!#$!9D#C:!7=!N9=:^1!D71;!9$;:$1:!=@N=9NND:$;%!
OF:!F:#K9:2!;F:!M@2>:$(!;F:!8N71:2!7@2!N9K:1!87D:!;7!:#2;F%]
&.
!
!!!!!!
O7D#1! F#1! #NW#<1! M::$! 9$! ;F91! J@2C#;72<! 7=! 9$>:8919K:$:11! M:;W::$! ;F:! N9CF;$:11! #$>!
F:#K9$:11!=27D!;F:!M:C9$$9$C!7=!;F:!$7K:N%!hN;F7@CF!F:!1::D1!;7!F#K:!D#>:!F91!J:#8:!W9;F!;F:!
N9CF;$:11!7=! F#K9$C! $7! =#D9N<! W:9CF9$C! F9D! >7W$(! $7! W7D#$! >:D#$>9$C! F91! WF7N:$:11! #$>!
=2::>7D(!F:!>7:1!F91!M:1;!9$!82:#;9$C!#!D:#$9$C!7$8:!O:2:U#!D#P:1!F:2!9$;2@197$!9$;7!F91!N9=:%!
S:!F#1! C7;! ;7!D#P:!#$! #11789#;97$!W9;F!;F:!9D#C:!7=!O:2:U#!#;! ;F:!>772!#$>!YN9;;N:!Q71:1]!#1!
W:NN!#1!W9;F!YE7N<M@1!;#P9$C!9$!;F:!<7@$C!R:>9J@1]!#1!W:!>918@11:>!:#2N9:2%!
!!!!!
O7D#1!91!1;2@CCN9$C!W9;F!;F:!N9CF;$:11!7=!N9=:!F:!91!:ZJ:29:$89$C%!T7;!;F#;!F:!>7:1!$7;!#JJ2:89#;:!
F91!=2::>7D(!M@;!#;!;F:!1#D:!;9D:!;F:!D:$;#N!=2@1;2#;97$!7=! M@2>:$9$C!F9D1:N=!W9;F!#!N9=:!;F#;!
F#1!$7!D:#$9$C(!;F#;!8#$!:$>!#$<!1:87$>!>7:1!$7;!N:#K:!F9D!9$!J:#8:%!!
“Einmal$ist$keinmal,$says$Tomas$to$himself.$What$happens$but$once,$says$the$German$
adage,$might$as$well$have$not$happened$at$all.$If$we$have$only$one$life$to$live,$we$might$
as$well$not$have$lived$at$all.”
24
$
!
hN;F7@CF!F:!#>72:1!;F:!=#8;!;F#;!F:!91!#;!N9M:2;<!;7!1J#2:!F9D1:N=!;F:!W7229:1!7=!F91!J2:K97@1!N9=:!
oF#K9$C! #! >:J:$>#$;! W9=:! #$>! 8F9N>V(! ;F:! N#8P! 7=! D:#$9$C=@N! 87$$:8;97$! #$>! >:J:$>:$8<! 7$!
7;F:21!W:#21!F9D!>7W$%!OF#;!91!;F:!>29K9$C!=728:!;F#;!:$#MN:1!F9D!;7!#88:J;!O:2:U#^1!#229K#N!9$!
F91! N9=:%! h=;:2! O7D#1! #$>! O:2:U#^1! D#229#C:! #$>! ;F:! 788@J#;97$! 7=! E2#C@:! M<! ;F:! `@119#$1(!
O:2:U#!N7$C1! ;7!N:#K:! E2#C@:!#1! 1F:! >7:1! $7;!=::N! F7D:!#$<D72:%! OF:!W#<! O7D#1! K9:W1!#$>!
9$;:2J2:;1! ;F:! 19;@#;97$! >7:1! $7;! D:2:N<! #JJN<! ;7! O:2:U#^1! >:192:! ;7! N:#K:! E2#C@:(! M@;! ;7! F91!
7W$!J:217$#N!:Z91;:$8:!#1!W:NN%!
“A$person$who$longs$to$leave$a$place$where$he$lives$is$an$unhappy$person.$That$is$why$
Tomas$accepted$Tereza’s$wish$to$emigrate$as$a$culprit$accepts$his$sentence,$and$one$
day$he$and$Tereza$and$Karenin$found$themselves$in$the$largest$city$in$Switzerland.”
25
$
!!!!!!
R$:! 91! :ZJ:8;:>! ;7! M:! #W#2:! 7=! ;F:! 9DJN98#;97$! ;F#;! O7D#1! 91! 8:2;#9$N<! @$F#JJ<! W9;F! ;F:!
J#2#D:;:21!7=!F91!N9=:%!h$>! #1! #!J:217$!WF7!91!87$8:2$:>!W9;F!;F:!T9:;U18F9#$!9>:#!7=!:;:2$#N!
2:;@2$(! O7D#1! K:2<! W:NN! P$7W1! ;F#;! F:! F#1! C7;! ;7! J#K:! ;F:! W#<! =72! F91! F#JJ9$:11! W9;F9$!
F9D1:N=(!WF98F!$::>N:11!;7!1#<(!F#1!$7;F9$C!;7!>7!W9;F!WF:2:!F:!N9K:1%!O7D#1!=9$>1!9;!$:8:11#2<!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!
!
&+
!LM9>(!&,4%!
&&
!LM9>(!-%!
&.
!LM9>(!g%!
&,
!LM9>(!+,%!
&'
!LM9>(!.&%!

h>K#$8:1!9$!6789#N!689:$8:1!`:1:#28F!"7@2$#N!ah66`"d!
f7N%-(!L11@:!+!"#$V&)&)!
!
!
@,AB/*C0<!5!6789:;<!=72!689:$8:!#$>!?>@8#;97$(!A$9;:>!B9$C>7D!
!
!
+&+!
;7!2:#8F!#!1;#;:!7=!N9=:!;F#;!91! W72;F!2:J:#;9$C!9$$@D:2#MN:!;9D:1%!S:!91!7$! ;F:!W#<!7=!;@2$9$C!
F9D1:N=!9$;7!#!T9:;U18F9#$VS:9>:CC:29#$!YH7$K#N:18:$;]%!!
!!!!!!
T7;! 7$N<! >7:1! F:! 1:;! #! =77;! 9$! ;F91! 9$9;9#;97$! 7$! #! J:217$#N! N:K:N(! M@;! #1! #! J7N9;98#N! M:9$C! #1!
h291;7;N:! 1;#;:1*! YS:$8:(!9;!91!:K9>:$;! ;F#;!;F:!1;#;:!91! #! 82:#;97$!7=!$#;@2:(! #$>!;F#;!D#$!91! M<!
$#;@2:!#!J7N9;98#N!#$9D#N%!h$>!F:!WF7!M<!$#;@2:!#$>!$7;!M<!D:2:!#889>:$;!91!W9;F7@;!#!1;#;:!91!
:9;F:2! #M7K:!F@D#$9;<!72!M:N7W!9;m!F:! 91! ;F:!jO29M:N:11(!N#WN:11(!F:#2;N:11!7$:(^!WF7D!S7D:2!
>:$7@$8:1! o;F:! 7@;8#1;! WF7! 91! #! N7K:2! 7=! W#2m! F:! D#<! M:! 87DJ#2:>! ;7! #! M92>! WF98F! =N9:1!
#N7$:%]
&4
!OF@1(!O7D#1!91!9$>::>!7$!;F:!K:2C:!7=!F91!J:217$#N!9$9;9#;97$%!
!!!!!!
"7F#$! G:C:$##2!2:D#2P1*!Y%%!O7D#1!@1:1!;F:!R:>9J@1!D<;F!;7! 829;989U:!;F:! `@119#$!788@J#;97$!
7=!F91!87@$;2<%!OF:!`@119#$1!#2:!2#J9$C!E2#C@:(!M@;!;F:<!N#8P!;F:!D72#N9;<!7=!R:>9J@1!;7!#>D9;!
;F:92!C@9N;!#$>!=7NN7W!F91!:Z#DJN:!M<!J@;;9$C!7@;!;F:92!:<:1%]
&-
!O7D#1!#887DJN91F:1!M:87D9$C!#!
J7N9;98#NN<V#W#2:!#$>!2:1J7$19MN:!89;9U:$!M<!87$>:D$9$C!;F:!87DD@$91;!2:C9D:!;#P9$C!7K:2!F91!
87@$;2<%!!
“When$Tomas$heard$Communists$shouting$in$defense$of$their$inner$purity,$he$said$to$
himself,$ as$ a$ result$ of$ not$ knowing,$ this$ country$ has$ lost$ its$ freedom,$ lost$ it$ for$
centuries,$perhaps,$and$you$shout$that$you$feel$no$guilt?$How$can$you$stand$the$sight$
of$what$you’ve$done?$How$is$it$you$aren’t$horrified?$Have$you$no$eyes$to$see?$If$you$had$
eyes,$you$would$have$to$put$them$out$and$wander$away$from$Thebes!”
28
$
!
S:!D#P:1!#$!#$#N7C<!M:;W::$!G@M8:P
&g
(!#$>!R:>9J@1!9$!2:C#2>!;7!;F:!2:1J7$19M9N9;<!7$:!;#P:1!
#$>!;F:!7;F:2!MN#D:1!;F:!N#8P!7=!P$7WN:>C:%!O7D#1!J@MN91F:1!#!J#J:2!M#1:>!7$!;F91!#$#N7C<!;7!
87$>:D$! hN:Z#$>:2! G@M8:P! 7=! C9K9$C! 9$! ;7! ;F:! `@119#$!H7DD@$91;1%! O7D#1! 91! #! M:N9:K:2! 9$!
D#$^1!=2::>7D!7=!8F798:!#$>!;F:!2:1J7$19M9N9;<!9;!M29$C1!87$1:X@:$;N<%!
“...$whether$they$knew$or$didn’t$know$is$not$the$main$issue;$the$main$issue$is$whether$a$
man$ is$ innocent$ because$ he$ didn’t$ know.$ İs$ a$ fool$ on$ throne$ relieved$ of$ all$
responsibility$merely$because$he$is$a$fool?”
30
$
!
S:2:(!WF:;F:2! 87$1897@1N<!72!@$87$1897@1N<(!O7D#1!91!1:;;9$C! #!;29#N! @J!=72!F9D1:N=!#1! W:NN%!S:!
91!8#NN9$C!7$!F9D1:N=!;7!F7N>!;F:!2:1J7$19M9N9;<!7=!WF#;!F:!>7:1!#$>!WF#;!F:!2:=2#9$1!=27D%!b72!
O7D#1(!j$7;!P$7W9$C^!91!$7!N:C9;9D#;:!W#<!7@;%!!
!!!!!!
h1! #! 2:1@N;! 7=! M:9$C! #! 2:1J7$19MN:! F@D#$! M:9$C! WF7! D#P:1! F91! 7W$! 8F798:1! #$>! K798:1! F91!
J7N9;98#N!K9:W1(!O7D#1!91!9$!;F:!F#U#2>!7=!N719$C!F91!37M!#1!#!1@2C:7$!9$!E2#C@:%!S:!2:17NK:1!;7!
D7K:!;7!k@298F(!$7;!7$N<!=72!F91!7W$!1#P:!M@;!=72!;F:!7=!O:2:U#^1!1:2:$9;<!#1!W:NN%!h=;:2!#!WF9N:!
9$!k@298F(!O7D#1!$7;!7$N<!F#1! O:2:U#!M<!F91!19>:!M@;!J98P1!@J!F91!2:N#;97$1F9J!W9;F!6#M9$#!#1!
W:NN%! S:! N9;:2#NN<! F#1! $7! $::>! ;7! 2:;@2$! F7D:%! S91! N9=:! 91! M@9N;! M<! #NN! D:#$1! 9$! k@298F%! S91!
9$9;9#;97$!F#1!;@2$:>!9$;7!#!=#D9N9#2!W#<!7=!N9K9$C(!;F:!7$:!F:!@1:>!;7!N:#>!M#8P!9$!F7D:%!
!!!!!!
S:!C:;1!;7!2:1@D:!F91!:27;98!=29:$>1F9J!W9;F!O:2:U#!9$!k@298F(!;7!F#K:!#!1:8@2:!37M!;F#;!D#;8F:1!
F91!;#N:$;1!#$>!1J:89#N;9:1(!#$>!F:!F#1!#!1:D9VF#JJ<!O:2:U#!M<!F:2!19>:(!#1!;F:!$#22#;72!1;#;:1*!
YO:2:U#! #$>! 6#M9$#! 2:J2:1:$;:>! ;F:! ;W7! J7N:1(! 1:J#2#;:! #$>! 922:87$89N#MN:(! <:;! :X@#NN<!
#JJ:#N9$C%]
.+
!h$>!<:;(!7$8:!O:2:U#!>:89>:1!;7!D7K:!M#8P!;7!E2#C@:(!O7D#1!N:#K:1!k@298F(!1#<1!#!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!
!
&4
!h291;7;N:(! The$ Politics$ of$ Aristotle(! ;2#$1N#;:>! W9;F! #$! L$;27>@8;97$(! Q#2C9$#N! h$#N<191(! ?11#<1(! T7;:1(! #$>!
L$>98#;:1!M<!e%!"7W:;;!aRZ=72>*!HN#2:$>7$!E2:11*!+//'d!&K7N1(!f7N%!+(!'-g%!
&-
!"7F#$!G:C:$##2(!OF:!@$M:#2#MN:!_9CF;$:11!7=!e:9$CV#!EF9N717JF98#N!?ZJN72#;97$(!'/%!
&/
!LM9>(!+-g%!
&g
!hN:Z#$>:2!G@M8:P(!;F:!=921;!1:82:;#2<!7=!;F:!8:$;2#N!87DD9;;::!7=!;F:!H7DD@$91;!J#2;<!9$!HU:8F71N7K#P9#!
.)
!Q9N#$!B@$>:2#(!The$unbearable$Lightness$of$Being(!+/+%!!
.+
!LM9>(!..%!

Pakdamanshahri, F. S. (2020). The Eternal Ret urn: The Heaviest of the Burdens. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 7(1) 112-124.
!
!
!
+&&!
T.U>)F;;J*00>Z%>79%72C0+)%+,-./0#1123%-+%-4&'%)
!
2#;F:2!F#1;<!=#2:W:NN!;7!F91!$:W=7@$>!=2::>7D*!YS:!W#1!7$!F91!W#<!M#8P!;7!;F:!M#8F:N72! N9=:(!
;F:!N9=:!F:!F#>!7$8:!=:N;!>:1;9$:>!=72(!;F:!N9=:!;F#;!W7@N>!N:;!F9D!M:!WF#;!F:!#8;@#NN<!W#1%]
.&
!9$!
$7!;9D:!;7!2:379$!O:2:U#%!!
!!!!!!
hN7$C!W9;F!D#P9$C!;F:!>:89197$!;7!2:;@2$!;7!E2#C@:(!O7D#1!@$2#K:N1!;F:!D<1;:297@1!:11:$8:!7=!
F91!N9=:%!S:!C2#>@#NN<!1@88::>1!9$!1;:JJ9$C!W9;F9$!2#;F:2!;F#$!W9;F7@;%!!
“The$weighty$ resolution$ is$at$one$ with$the$voice$ of$ fate;$necessity,$weight,$ and$value$
are$three$concepts$inextricably$bound:$only$necessity$is$heavy,$and$only$what$is$heavy$
has$value.”
33
$
!
h1!#!2:1@N;!7=!F9D!;#P9$C!;F:!2:1J7$19M9N9;<!7=!829;989U9$C!;F:!H7DD@$91;!2:C9D:(!F:!N71:1!F91!37M!
#1!#!1@2C:7$%! _:;! @1!$7;!$:CN:8;!;F:!=#8;! ;F#;!F:!F#>! 87$19>:2:>!M:9$C!#! 1@2C:7$!#!1@M1;#$;9#N!
J#2;!7=!WF7!91!W#1(!F91!9>:$;9;<%!h$>!7$!;F:!K:2C:!7=!C:;;9$C!#!1;:J!8N71:2!;7!F9D1:N=!F:!2:#N9U:1!
;F#;! F:! 91! ;7! 29>! F9D1:N=! 7=! WF#;:K:2! J#2;!F:! 7W$1! ;F#;! 91! $7;! #@;F:$;98#NN<! #$>! :11:$;9#NN<!
#;;#8F:>!;7!F91!M:9$C(!F:!91!;7!2:D#9$!W9;F7@;!#!D91197$%!
“...$ What$ remains$ of$ life$ when$ a$ person$ rejects$ what$ he$ previously$ considered$ his$
mission.”
34
$
!!!!!!
OF:!N711!7=!:11:$8:!#$>!D:#$9$C!F91!37M!F#1!M27@CF;!;7!F9D!K#$91F:>(!#$>!9$1;:#>(!F:!C#9$1!#!
1;#;:!7=!N9M:2;<!#;!WF98F!F:!F#1!#NN!;F:!D:#$1!;7!2:K:2;!;7!W7D:$!7$8:!#C#9$(!#$>!;F91!;9D:!#$!
9$$@D:2#MN:! $@DM:2! 7=! ;F:D%! YL$! J@21@9;! 7=! P$7WN:>C:(! :J98! W7D#$9U:21! a#$>! 7=! 87@21:!
O7D#1!M:N7$C:>!9$!;F:92!2#$P1d!;@2$!#W#<!=27D!87$K:$;97$#N!=:D9$9$:!M:#@;<(!7=!WF98F!;F:<!
X@98PN<! ;92:(!#$>!9$:K9;#MN<!:$>!@J!#1!8@29719;<!87NN:8;721%]
.'
!h;!N:#1;!$7W!F:!2:#N9U:1!F91!9$$:2!
D7;9K:! =72! ;F:! J@21@9;! 7=! W7D:$%! R$8:! F:! 91! #1P:>! ;7! 19C$! #! J:;9;97$! ;7! :$C#C:! 9$! ;F:! $:W!
J7N9;98#N! #8;! #C#9$1;! H7DD@$91;(! F:! 2:=@1:1%! OF:! 2:#17$(! $7! >7@M;! >7:1! $7;! 2:N#;:! ;7! F9D! $7;!
M:9$C!#!J7N9;98#N!M:9$C(!2#;F:2(!$7;!M:9$C!F91!:11:$8:!#$>!D91197$%!
“Why$even$think$about$whether$to$sign$or$not?$There$was$only$one$criterion$for$all$his$
decision:$ He$ must$ do$ nothing$ that$ could$ harm$ her.$ Tomas$ could$ not$ save$ political$
prisoners,$but$he$could$make$Tereza$happy.$He$ could$not$even$ succeed$in$doing$that.$
But$ if$ he$ signed$ the$ petition,$ he$ could$ be$ fairly$ certain$ that$ she$ would$ have$ more$
frequent$visits$from$undercover$ agents,$ and$that$her$hands$would$tremble$more$and$
more.”
36
$
!
O7D#1! 91! =9$#NN<! #229K9$C! #;! ;F:! 1;#;97$(! #;! WF98F! F:! #W#9;1! $7! ;2#9$(! #1!F:! 91! ;F:! 87$>@8;72!
F9D1:N=%!G#<!M<!G#<(!F:!2:#N9U:1!;F:!$#;@2:!#$>!:11:$8:!7=!N7K:!F:!F#1!=72!O:2:U#%!
“It$was$much$more$important$to$dig$a$half-buried$crow$out$of$the$ground,$he$said$than$
to$send$petitions$to$the$president.”
37
$
!
_:;!@1!$7;:!;F#;!;F:!2:#17$!F:!91!2:=2#9$9$C!=27D!:$C#C9$C!9$!#!$:W!J7N9;98#N!#8;!91!$7;!>@:!;7!F91!
9$;:NN:8;@#N!#M9N9;<(!M@;!F91!K:2<!7W$!W9NN!;7!#8;!7$N<!M#1:>!7$!WF#;!$:8:119;#;:1!F91!9$9;9#N!#$>!
D71;!M#198!:Z91;:$8:(!;F:!7$:!;2@:!:N:D:$;!;F#;!F:!8#$$7;!>7!W9;F7@;!#$>!1;9NN!:Z91;%!!
!!!!!!
h1!W:!>918@11:>!M:=72:(!O7D#1!C:;1!;7!#!J79$;!WF:2:!F:!F#1! $7! >7@M;!;F:2:!91! $7WF:2:! ;7! C7(!
9DJN<9$C! ;F#;! ;F:! 2:#N! JN#8:! ;7!C7! WF98F! 91! 7$:! #$>! D:2:N<! 7$:! =72! #! 19$CN:! M:9$C! 91! W9;F9$!
;F:D1:NK:1%!R^G7$7CF@:!1J:#P1!7=!;F:!D#;;:2*!YR$!;F:!7;F:2! F#$>(! ;F:! JF9N717JF98#N! J27MN:D!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!
!
.&
!LM9>(!,&%!
..
!LM9>(!,,%!
.,
!LM9>(!&)'%!
.'
!LM9>(!&++%!
.4
!LM9>(!&..%!
.-
!LM9>(!.+%!

h>K#$8:1!9$!6789#N!689:$8:1!`:1:#28F!"7@2$#N!ah66`"d!
f7N%-(!L11@:!+!"#$V&)&)!
!
!
@,AB/*C0<!5!6789:;<!=72!689:$8:!#$>!?>@8#;97$(!A$9;:>!B9$C>7D!
!
!
+&.!
WF98F!F7D:N:11$:11!J71:1!=72! D7>:2$9;<!1;:D1!$7;!=27D!#!>:18:$;!7=!;F:!17@N!9$;7!;F:!>#2P!
8#K:!7=!;F:!W72N>!72!9$;7!;F:!K#N:!7=!;:#21!M@;!2#;F:2!=27D!#!N711!7=!K#N@:1!72!D72:!J2:891:N<!#!
N711!7=!D:#$9$C!#$>!J@2J71:%]
./
!!
!!!!!
O7D#1!=9$>1!;F:!j$:8:119;<^!7=!F91!N9=:%!T7;!:K:2<!F@D#$!M:9$C!C:;1!;F91!=#2%!L$!7;F:2!W72>1(!$7;!
:K:2<! 17@N! #8F9:K:1! ;F:! 1:N=V#W#2:$:11! ;F:<! W7@N>! 9>:#NN<! >:192:! ;7! C:;1! ;F:D! 8N71:2! ;7!
M:87D9$C!#$! #@;F:$;98!M:9$C(! ;F#;! 91! ;7! M:87D9$C!;F:D1:NK:1%!l:72C:! 6;:9$:2!9$;:2J2:;1!WF#;!
S:9>:CC:2! F#1! >:=9$:>! #1! jF7D:87D9$C^*! Y^! S7D:87D9$C^! 91! M7;F! ;F:! J278:11! #$>! C7#N! 7=!
#@;F:$;98! M:9$C%]
.g
!OF:! >:C2::! ;7! WF98F! O7D#1! 1::1! #$>! 9$;:2J2:;1! ;F:! JF:$7D:$#! ;F#;!
1@227@$>!F9D!91!7=!#!K:2<!F9CF!1;#$8:%!S:!;F9$P1!#$>!#8;1!1;2#9CF;=72W#2>N<(!1J:89=98#NN<!WF:$!9;!
9$K7NK:1!F9D1:N=%!S:!#1P1!F9D1:N=*!Y%%%L1!9;!M:;;:2!;7!1F7@;!#$>!;F:2:M<!F#1;:$!;F:!:$>(!72!;7!P::J!
19N:$;! #$>! C#9$! ;F:2:M<! #! 1N7W:2! >:#;F\]
,)
!S91! 2:1J7$1:! ;7! ;F:! 2F:;7298#N! X@:1;97$! 1::D1!
@$$:8:11#2<%!
!!!!!!
R$8:!7$:!C:;1!;7!=9$>! WF#;!9;! 91!;F#;! D#P:1! ;F:92!:11:$8:(!;F#;!D#P:1!;F:D! #$!#@;F:$;98! M:9$C(!
;F:<!F#K:!1@88::>:>!9$!JN#89$C!;F:D1:NK:1!9$!;F:!1;#;@1!7=!WF98F!;F:<!8#$!1#<!;F:<!#2:!2:#><!;7!
9$$@D:2#MN<!2:J:#;!;F:!1#D:!8<8N:!7=!N9=:%!!!!
!!!!!!
OF:!YD:#$9$C!#$>!J@2J71:]!G7$7CF@:!>918@11:1!>7!$7;!87D:!9$!#!J#8P#C:(!$7;!;7!O7D#1(!$72!
;7!#$<!F@D#$!M:9$C%!O7D#1! F#1!F91!>7@M;1!=27D!;9D:!;7!;9D:%!h=;:2!F:!91! M#8P!9$!E2#C@:!=27D!
k@298F(!F:!#>D7$91F:>!F9D1:N=!=72!2:;@2$9$C!2:J:#;:>N<(!@$;9N!O:2:U#!;:NN1!F9D!7=!F:2!>2:#D*!YL!
W#1!M@29:>%%%!L^>!M::$! M@29:>!=72! #! N7$C! ;9D:%!I7@! 8#D:!;7!1::! D:!:K:2<! W::P%! ?#8F! ;9D:!<7@!
P$78P:>!#;!;F:! C2#K:(!#$>!L!8#D:!7@;%!Q<!:<:1!W:2:!=@NN!7=!>92;%!%%%!L^>!1#<!L!8#$^;!1::! #$<W#<%! L!
F#K:! F7N:1! 9$1;:#>! 7=! :<:1%]
,+
!OF91! 2:87@$;! 1F#P:1! O7D#1! @$>7@M;:>N<(! 9;! M29$C1! F9D! #! =9$#N!
J:#8:(!#!=9$#N!2:#17$(!#!=9$#N!J@2J71:!$7;!D:2:N<!=72!WF<!F:!F#1!2:;@2$:>!;7!k@298F(!M@;!;7!F91!
:Z91;:$8:%!
“He$had$ never$heard$ anything$more$harrowing.$ Holding$her$ tightly$in$ his$ arms$ and$
feeling$her$body$tremble,$he$thought$he$could$not$endure$his$love.”
42
$
!!!!!!
L;!91!#;!;F91!D7D:$;!;F#;!F:!2:#N9U:1!F:!91!2:#><!;7!N9K:!F91!N9=:!9$$@D:2#MN:!;9D:1!W:2:!#!>:D7$!
;7! 1;:#N! #=;:2! F9D*! Yh$>! F:! P$7W1! ;F#;! ;9D:! #$>! #C#9$! F:! W9NN! #M#$>7$! ;F:! F7@1:! 7=! F91!
F#JJ9$:11(!;9D:!#$>!#C#9$!#M#$>7$!F91!J#2#>91:!#$>!;F:!W7D#$!=27D!F91!>2:#D%%%!;7!C7!7==!W9;F!
O:2:U#(!;F:!W7D#$!M72$!7=!19Z!N#@CF#MN:!=72;@9;9:1%]
,.
!S:!>7:1!$7;!$::>!;F:!9>:#N!W7D#$!7=!F91!
>2:#D!#$<D72:(!F:!F#1!=7@$>!;F:!2:#N!W7D#$%!h;!;F:!K:2<!:$>!7=!;F:!$7K:N(!N7K:!91!3@Z;#J71:>!
W9;F!F:#K9$:11%!S7W:K:2(!WF#;!>91;9$C@91F:>!;F91!F:#K9$:11!=27D!;F:!7$:!O7D#1!91!87$8:2$:>!
W9;F!#;!;F:!M:C9$$9$C!7=!;F:!$7K:N!91!;F:!$:W!7$:^1!F7D:N9$:11%!!
“Tereza$ and$ Tomas$ had$ died$under$the$sign$of$ weight.$ She$ wanted$ to$die$under$the$
sign$ of$ lightness.$ She$ would$ be$ lighter$ than$ air.$ As$ Parmenides$ would$ put$ it,$ the$
negative$would$change$into$the$positive.”
44
$
!
OF:!F7D:!;F:<!=7@$>! #$>!=7@$>:>!:DM2#8:>!O7D#1!W9;F!F91!$:WV=7@$>:>!F:#K9$:11(!F91! Y?1!
D@11!1:9$]
,'
%!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!
!
./
!e2:$>7$!R^G7$7CF@:(!A$Poetics$of$Homecoming:$Heidegger,$Homelessness$and$homecoming$Venture,$aT:W!H#1;N:*!
H#DM29>C:!68F7N#21!E@MN91F9$C(!&)++d(!&&%!
.g
!l:72C:!6;:9$:2(!Q#2;9$!S:9>:CC:2(!aHF98#C7*!A$9K:219;<!7=!HF98#C7!E2:11(!+gg+d(!,,%!
,)
!Q9N#$!B@$>:2#(!The$unbearable$Lightness$of$Being(!&.,%!
,+
!LM9>(!&,&%!
,&
!LM9>(!&,&%!
,.
!LM9>(!&''%!
,,
!LM9>(!&g)%!
,'
!L$!l:2D#$*!YL;!D@1;!M:%](!WF98F!2:=:2:1!;7!;F:!:11:$8:!#$>!;F:!:11:$;9#N%!OF:!7$:!:N:D:$;!;F#;!9;1!:Z91;:$8:!91!
$:8:119;#;:>!M<!;F:!:Z91;:$8:!7=!O7D#1%!

Pakdamanshahri, F. S. (2020). The Eternal Ret urn: The Heaviest of the Burdens. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 7(1) 112-124.
!
!
!
+&,!
T.U>)F;;J*00>Z%>79%72C0+)%+,-./0#1123%-+%-4&'%)
!
DFE)1VT.8E])E8=+)!8=)HEZ?8+>)@V8@UT+?V8)
AN;9D#;:N<(!O7D#1!>:89>:1!;7!1;#<!N7<#N!;7!O:2:U#(!$7;!;7!2:;2#8;!F91!829;98#N!#2;98N:(!;7!N71:!F91!
37M(! ;7! W#1F! W9$>7W1(! #$>! ;7! N:#K:! ;F:! 89;<! M:F9$>(! #$>! ;7!N:#>! #! 19DJN:! N9=:! 7$! #! =#2D%! S91!
37@2$:<! ;7W#2>1! F9D1:N=! 87D:1! ;7! #$! :$>%! S91! 37@2$:<! 91! 7K:2! WF:$! F:! :N9D9$#;:1! #$<!
C:7C2#JF98#N!1:$1:!7=!F7D:!#$>!F7D:N9$:11%!O7D#1!>7:1!2:#8F!#!8:2;#9$!1;#C:!WF:2:!F:!;#P:1!
;F:!1;::29$C!WF::N!7=!F91!N9=:!9$!F#$>!#1!7JJ71:>!;7!R:>9J@1%!S7W:K:2(!L!#D!$7;!1@CC:1;9$C!;F#;!
WF#;! F:! >7:1! 91! M#1:>! 7$! #$! 9>:#N! 2:#>9$C! 7=! F9D1:N=! #$>! F91! 19;@#;97$! #1! hFN! 1;#;:1*! YOF:!
@$M:#2#MN:! _9CF;$:11! 7=! e:9$C! 8#$! M:! 2:#>! #1! 9$;:2;:Z;@#N! 19C$! D#2P9$C! 72! F9CFN9CF;9$C! ;F:!
>#$C:21! 9$F:2:$;! 9$! #$<! 9$;:2J2:;#;9K:! C:1;@2:! WF98F! #11@D:1! 7$:! K:2197$! 7=! F91;72<! 72!
J7N9;98#N!2:#N9;<!;7!M:!;F:!;2@;F%]
,4
!S:!M@9N>1!#$>!8F771:1!WF7!F:!91!;7!;F:!M:1;!7=!F91!P$7WN:>C:%!!
!!!!!!
R$!F91!37@2$:<!F7D:(!O7D#1!;:NN1!F9D1:N=*!Y_7K:!N9:1!M:<7$>!?1!D@11!1:9$p]
,-
!S:!M:N9:K:1!N7K:!
91! M:<7$>! ;F:! $:8:119;<! 7=! F91! M:9$C(! M9CC:2! ;F#$! #$<;F9$C! F:! F#1! :K:2! :ZJ:29:$8:>! #$>!
9>:$;9=9:>!W9;F%!b@2;F:2!7$! ;F:! $#22#;72! :ZJN#9$1*!Y%%%F:! F#1! 3@1;!>9187K:2:>!;F:!17N@;97$!;7! #NN!
29>>N:1(! ;F:! P:<! ;7! #NN! D<1;:29:1(! #! $:W! @;7J9#(! #! J#2#>91:*! #! W72N>! WF:2:! D#$! 91! :Z89;:>! M<!
1::9$C! #! 1W#NN7W! #$>! O7D#1! 8#$! N7K:! O:2:U#! W9;F7@;! M:9$C! >91;@2M:>! M<! ;F:! #CC2:119K:!
1;@J9>9;<!7=!1:Z%]
,/
!L1!9;!$7;!;F:!29>>N:!O7D#1^!9$$:2!6JF9$Z!F#1!J71:>!=72!F9D(!N:=;!@$29>>N:>!=72!
<:#21!9$!F91!1@M87$1897@1%!L;!91!#;!;F91!D7D:$;!;F#;!F:!=9$>1!;F:!P:<!;7!F91!F7D:N:11$:11(!;7!F91!
F7D:N9$:11(!;7!F91!:Z91;:$8:%!S:!8#$!C7!F7D:!$7W!#$>!>7:1!17!9$$@D:2#MN:!;9D:!;7!87D:(!7$N<!
$7;!=7NN7W:>!M<!#!>:D7$(!2#;F:2!#!J:#8:=@N$:11(!#!87DJN:;:!F:#K9$:11!;F#;!>7:1!$7;!M@2>:$(!<:;!
=2::1!F9D%!
!
H?HU?VZ.!:F])
hFN(!b2:>:298P.$Sophocles’$Oedipus:$Evidence$and$Self$Conviction(!_7$>7$*!H72$:NN!A$9K:219;<!E2:11(!+gg+%!
h291;7;N:(!The$Politics$of$Aristotle,$Volume$I(!;2#$1%!#$>!W9;F!#$!L$;27>@8;97$(!Q#2C9$#N!h$#N<191(!?11#<1(!T7;:1(!#$>!
L$>98#;:1!M<!e%!"7W:;;%!RZ=72>*!HN#2:$>7$!E2:11(!+//'%!
H#DJM:NN(!"71:JF%!The$Hero$With$a$Thousand$Faces%!E29$8:;7$*!E29$8:;7$!A$9K:219;<!E2:11(!+g,g%!
G:C:$##2(!"7F#$%!YOF:!@$M:#2#MN:!_9CF;$:11!7=!e:9$CV#!EF9N717JF98#N!?ZJN72#;97$!9$!_9;:2#;72](!9$!"7@2$#N!7=!
_9;:2#2<!H29;9891D(!H7DJ#2#;9K:!_9$C@91;981!#$>!_9;:2#2<!6;@>9:1(!f7N%!LLL(!T7K%!+gg&*!'4V4g%!
l29==9;F(!`%!G2:W%!Yh11:2;9$C!?;:2$#N!E27K9>:$8:*!OF:7>98<!9$!67JF78N:1^!YR:>9J@1!;F:!B9$C](!9$!LNN9$791!HN#1198#N!
6;@>9:1(!f7N@D:!+-(!T7%&(!HF#DJ#9C$*!A$9K:219;<!7=!LNN9$791!E2:11*!+gg&*!+g.V&++%!
S:9>:CC:2(!Q#2;9$%!T9:;U18F:(!f7N!LL(!;2#$1%!M<!G#K9>!b#22:NN!B2:NN(!6#$!b2#$89187*!S#2J:2!H7NN9$1(!+g-gV+g/-%!
B@$>:2#(!Q9N#$!The$unbearable$Lightness$of$Being(!;2#$1%!M<!Q98F#:N!S:$2<!S:9D(!_7$>7$*!b#M:2!c!b#M:2*!&)+'%!
T9:;U18F:(!b29:>298F%!The$Gay$Science(!;2#$1%!M<![#N;:2!B#@=D#$$!T:W!I72P*!f9$;#C:!e77P1(!+g-,%!
R^G7$7CF@:(!e2:$>7$%!!A$Poetics$of$Homecoming:$Heidegger,$Homelessness$and$homecoming$Venture!T:W!H#1;N:*!
H#DM29>C:!68F7N#21!E@MN91F9$C(!&)++%!
RN1:$(!6;:9$!S#@C7D%!YOF:!Q:#$9$C!7=!#!_9;:2#2<![72P]!9$!New$Literary$History,$Problems$of$Literary$Theory(!
f7N@D:!+&(!T7%!+(!e#N;9D72:*!"7F$!S7JP9$1!A$9K:219;<!E2:11(!+g/&*!+.V.&%!
`::1D#$(!":#$$:!H#DJM:NN%(![9NN9$CF#D(!"7F$!`%(!Q72C#$(!_::%(!_#M72(!?#2N:%(!l@:29$(![9N=2:>!_%(!A$Handbook$of$
Critical$approaches$to$Literature(!T:W!I72P*!RZ=72>!A$9K:219;<!E2:11(!&))'%!
67JF78N:1(!Oedipus$The$King(!;2#$1%!M<!G@>N:<!b9;;1!#$>!`7M:2;!b9;UC:2#N>(!H#N9=72$9#*!S#287@2;!L$8%(!+g--%!
6;:9$:2(!l:72C:%!Martin$Heidegger(!HF98#C7*!A$9K:219;<!7=!HF98#C7!E2:11(!+gg+%!
!
)
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!
!
,4
!b2:>:298P!hFN(!Sophocles’$Oedipus:$Evidence$and$Self$Conviction(!/+%!
,-
!Q9N#$!B@$>:2#(!The$unbearable$Lightness$of$Being(!&',%!
,/
!LM9>(!&''%!