Oedipus
Self-inflicted harm is a drastic action executed by a troubled soul, a man so disillusioned and lost in his problems that he finds it necessary to damage himself in a physical way. Suicide, in particular, the most extreme form of self-inflicted harm, can serve as an easy method for a person in despair to quickly end his life, and thus also terminate the feelings that he possessed while he was alive. The motives behind these radical actions, however, differ from person to person. A man may take his life out of shame, fear, frustration or any other strong emotion that has claimed control of his mind and not allowed him to think clearly to assess his dilemma. Although self-inflicted harm, including several suicides, occurs in both of Sophocles' dramas, Oedipus Rex and Antigone, the motives for these actions differ in the two plays. In Oedipus Rex, both Oedipus and Jocasta choose to harm themselves physically. Throughout the play Jocasta pleads with Oedipus not to pursue the truth regarding his origin. Jocasta begins to unravel the mystery before Oedipus and believes that if he remains ignorant, they may be able to continue their lives in a normal manner. Unfortunately, she is not successful and Oedipus ultimately learns o
In death he would be forced to face his parents, yet with sight he would have to see his family and fellow statesmen. Antigone also meets death by her own hand. Although never referred to specifically in the text, Oedipus may also not want to see the way that his peers look at him, filled with disappointment regarding their fallen king. Their justification for their actions, however, are of a very different nature compared to the selfishness of Jocasta and Oedipus. Oedipus' reasoning for his physical self-punishment is very similar to that of Jocasta. Jocasta and Oedipus' motives are selfish, and they do their best to avoid any unpleasantness that they may have had to face. She avoided these unfavorable emotions and provided herself with a simple escape by committing suicide. In Antigone, three characters choose to take their own lives. This suicide is unlike the self-punishment in Oedipus Rex because it was committed out of grief over the death of a loved one. Jocasta is so distraught that she makes the decision to commit suicide, which in her case is a very selfish choice. Oedipus answers, stating, "If I had eyes/I do not know how I could bear the sight/Of my father, when I came to the house of Death/Or of my mother: for I have sinned against them both" (54). A messenger gives his account of her death to Creon, who listens in a state of astonishment. While Oedipus and Jocasta had the ulterior motive of avoiding their fears, Haimon had committed no crime and therefore had no hidden reason aside from severe sorrow. Euridyce follows suit and commits suicide after hearing of Haimon's death, for much the same reason as her son.
Common topics in this essay:
Oedipus Jocasta,
Oedipus Antigone,
,
Haimon Creon's,
Eurydice Haimon's,
Jocasta Oedipus',
Oedipus Rex,
Rex Antigone,
oedipus rex,
self-inflicted harm,
oedipus jocasta,
commit suicide,
Jocasta Oedipus,
Rex Oedipus,
plays oedipus rex,
characters choose,
own hand,
rex oedipus,
committing suicide,
oedipus jocasta choose,
messenger tells,
commit suicide selfish,
haimon's death,
oedipus rex oedipus,
rex oedipus jocasta,
|
Acceptance Essays
