Wild Duck Journal #1

Questions that Lay in Wild Duck and Oedipus:

• Which is better to have, knowledge or power?

In Oedipus, several of the characters are blessed with knowledge or power in community in which they live in. At first, it seems that the awesome power that Oedipus obtains is the saving grace of he people after he returns from solving the riddle of the Sphinx. However shortly after this, the blind prophet, Tiresias comes in and shatters everything that Oedipus was standing on with his incredible knowledge. Through this, it is shown that knowledge is in fact power that is equal to or above the power of a leader.

• What characteristics separate Oedipus from Creon that make Creon more stable in tough situations or under pressure?

Several things separate Oedipus and Creon. First of all, Oedipus is a marked man for angering a man in a bar which is never a good thing. Second, he accidentally is married to his mom. These two things have a big impact on him. In addition, he is the king which automatically gives him a lot of power and puts a big target on his back. Creon, in contrast, has no pressure on him because he has virtually no power. Also, he hasn't had the experiences that Oedipus has had that formed Oedipus's personality.

• How much does deceit play a part in the relationship between Werle and Gergers? 

So far in Wild Duck, Gergers does not trust Werle and this is shown through Werle's actions. Gergers explains that Werle does not communicate with his son very often and this led to Gerger leaving. The only way Werle can get his son to come back is by throwing him a fake party which is really for his wife-to-be. This shows much deceit on the part of Werle and digs himself a deeper hole with his son. It seems that by the end of the first act, any affection in the relationship is gone along with Gerger who leaves dismayed with his father.