The Oedipus Tragedy
Sophocles' epic story, Oedipus the King, is a classic tragedy that explores how irony can affect ones life and how fate works more closely then one would expect. It is because of this that many argue over how to react to Oedipus, the king of Thebes. Though at times arrogant and overly assertive, we must look more closely at the life of Oedipus. He is a man whose leadership demanded such qualities to overcome the Sphinx and other challenges along his road to becoming king. From this we must become sympathetic, and understand how a man so determined and admirable to do good for the people Thebes, could possibly have done so many terrible things.Oedipus was running from a prophesy of his fate. The story opens with Oedipus king of the Thebes with a population dying of a plague. Wanting to help his people, Oedipus opens his heart to his public saying "Here I am myself-you all know me, the world knows my fame. I am Oedipus". By declaring this, he is declaring that he is part of the problem and that he will do anything to solve it. When asked by the old priest what Oedipus plans to do, Oedip
However, as Oedipus continued in his admirable quest, he became disrespectful to the Gods thinking that he could out run their prophecy. Looking deeper into his past he realized that he was the actual killer, something that he could not believe. us replies that "after a painful search he found one cure-he acted at once. Creon now in power, toys with the once proud Oedipus and his final wishes. Creon hoping to exploit his power, teases Oedipus by letting him see his children again, making him think they will go with him. It is only after this that Creon takes them away saying, "Still the king, the master of all things? No more: here your power ends. None of your power follows you through life". Even after Jocasta, his wife, beg him to just let it past and to forget about the curses he brought down on himself, he could not. This determination to solve the problems of his people and help them is shown throughout the story. A people that was no longer gratified by him said "Now as we keep our watch and wait the final day, count no mane happy until Oedipus dies, free of pain at last". "He solved the famous riddle with his brilliance, he rose to power, a man beyond all power". Oedipus, lowering himself, pleading with Creon says, "I command you-I beg you". He defies his wife when he declares, "What-give up now? Fail to solve the mystery of my birth? Not for all the world!". He later said that the plague "torments" him and that the city "now have him to fight" for them. With that, the now humble Oedipus scratched his own eyes and became blind.
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Acceptance Essays
