Oedipus, Fortunes and Knowlege
Oedipus, Fortunes and Knowledge At All CostsOedipus Rex, King of Thebes, Solver of Riddles, victim to knowledge? I think the Teiresias said it best in the first scene, line 100 "How dreadful knowledge of the truth can be When there's no help in the truth!" Oedipus failed to listen to the old saying that "Ignorance is bliss" and this having to know the truth no matter who it hurts or at what costs it comes, combined with his belief of fortune telling Oracles, is what ultimately led to his downfall.Oedipus was born to a family whom worshiped the gods and also believed in futures being foretold. Upon finding out that they, Oedipus's parents, where going to have a child they decided to make a trip to the Oracle. At that time the Oracle tells them that their child will kill his parents. Not wanting this to come true but too chicken to do their own dirty work Iocaste gives the child to a servant of their household to kill him. Now, how did they come to the point of feeling that this was their only option? Did they randomly and of their own accord decide to kill their child? The answer is no. By going to an Oracle to learn about what the future held and trying to save their own lives they were faced with little other optio
King Oedipus tells his wife that Teiresias, being bribed by Creon has told him that he is the pollution. A messenger comes from Corinth to tell Oedipus that King Polybus is dead and that the citizens want him to come and lead them. "Is the case closed then?" you may ask. Afraid of going to bed with his "mother" Meope, he tells the messenger that he cannot go. If the last time I went to the Oracle it had told me that I would sleep with my mother and kill my father I don't know that I would go there again for advice. Then a plague comes to the land and instead of trying to find a way to deal with the problem himself he sends off his brother in law Creon to talk to the Oracle once again. Instead of ignoring the yells of a blind man and believing his parents Oedipus decides to go see the all-knowing Oracle. Oedipus's fault or the Oracles fault? With no prophecy there is no trip to Thebes. Creon comes back and says that they must rid themselves of a pollution. Living a life of affluence and being heir to a throne is not too stressful a job so naturally Oedipus enjoyed a drink every now and then. Not wanting the Oracle's prophecy to come true Oedipus turns the opposite direction of his home and heads to Thebes where he kills his father on the way, saves the city, and marries his mother. Pleading with Oedipus to let things be she ask if his life now is not enough for him that he must know of his past. He ask how the King died and what he looked like.
Common topics in this essay:
Oracle Oracle,
Solver Riddles,
Pleading Oedipus,
King Polybus,
Miss Cleo,
King Oedipus,
Thebes Oedipus,
Thebes Ranting,
oracle oracle,
oedipus king,
king oedipus,
kill father,
tell oedipus,
sleep mother,
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Acceptance Essays
