Oedipus the King
Sophocles' dramatic play Oedipus Rex has lasted the ages because it continues to remain relevant. We are still struggling to understand the fundamental differences between ignorance and knowledge, fate and freewill. In Oedipus, Sophocles presents a fascinating and complex character who is tormented by his own guilt for unknowingly killing his father and marrying his mother. Although Oedipus is a man who has completed despicable acts of murder and incest, Sophocles, in an unconventional way, creates a sad sort of sympathy for him. Oedipus possessed many admirable qualities of a hero, yet he also held the negative qualities of ignorance, pride and temper that led to his ruin. In the end we are still left to wonder, "is Oedipus at fault for the unavoidable destiny he was given?" Having an understanding of Oedipus' history gives an idea of the complexity of his character. He was born the son of the king and queen of Thebes. Laius, king of Thebes, questioned the oracle at Delphi about his son and the oracle said the boy would grow up to kill his father and marry his mother. Horrified, Laius ordered to expose his son.
Ignorant of their identity, Oedipus killed everyone in their party except one servant. The people of Thebes treated him as if he were a god, they even placed offerings of branches wrapped in wool on the alter of Oedipus, as they would on the alter of Apollo, god of healing, requesting a solution to the plague that has infected their city. unaware of the one you live with"(380), referring to the temper that was responsible for Laius' death and ultimately Oedipus' incestual acts. Oedipus respectfully requests that Tiresias come out with the truth. I grieve for these, my people, far more than I fear for my own life" (104-106), not realizing that his life has good reason to be feared for. Oedipus reveled at the chance to save his city again. On the road out of Corinth, Oedipus had an encounter with a group of travelers, one of which happened to be Laius. Each one of us is destined to come into this world one day and leave it another. In an attempt to keep the prophecy from coming true, he leaves Corinth, vowing to never return. Ever since he saved Thebes from the Sphinx, he has been revered by their people as a hero. Dramatical irony was used in the character of Tiresias who was physically blind but was able to see the "truth". The baby's feet were pinned together and he was left to die on Mount Cithaeron.
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Acceptance Essays
