Fall of the House of Oedipus
The fall of the house of Oedipus is the classic description of the course of events that occur throughout the classic Greek trilogy written by Sophocles. As we read the plays Oedipus Rex, and Oedipus at Colonus, we closely examined the changes that Oedipus underwent over the time that elapsed between them. These changes are asserted through Oedipus's own words as well as by the words of those around him. These changes strongly involve Oedipus's attitude toward the gods, his family, and his own mortality and the limitations of it. Oedipus Rex opens with Oedipus in high standing as king of Thebes. Having alleviated the great city of the afflictions placed upon it by the Sphinx, he is revered by all of his subjects and these lines spoken early in the play summarize these feelings: "It is because on life's unequal stage we see you as first of men and consummate Not primed by us, not taught by hidden lore, But god-inspired, we so believe... So, Oedipus, you most respected king, We plead with you to find for us a cure: Some answer breathed from heaven, perhaps Or even enlightenment from man. For still me see the prowess of your well proven mind,
Despite his handicap, Tiresias is able to sense the truth in the situation concerning Oedipus and his relation to Laius, whose murderer Oedipus has condemned. The severity of the consequences has debased him to the point at which he cannot bear to look upon the destruction his life has fallen to. This is especially fortified when the priest says, "some answer breathed from heaven perhaps". Only when the truth us revealed and there is no option for Oedipus except to accept it, is Oedipus humbled. Fate is one issue from the gods which Oedipus feels he can control for himself. Tiresias, a blind prophet, proves to have far better sight than Oedipus. In an act of passion he blinds himself and asks to be driven from Thebes. These feelings are exhibited through Oedipus's early references to himself as "the Oedipus", and ". By using these phrases to address himself, Oedipus exudes an inflated image of himself. Oedipus portrays an attitude that he thinks himself higher than the gods.
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