RELIGIOUS ISSUES IN DRAMATIC LITERATURE
            
             1.In your opinion, how fair is it to say that Oedipus is morally guilty? Does he argue that he is morally innocent because he did not intend to do immoral deeds? Can it be said that he is guilty of hubris, but that hubris has nothing to do with his fall?
            
             Oedipus is caught in a world of true human nature. He lives his life in free will to choose whatever direction he desires, yet because he fears there is truth to the predictions of the gods he is held captive by his own emotion rather than reasoning. Oedipus states, "I ran for someplace where I'd never see come true outrages like those predicted for me. But my flight carried me to just the place where you say that the king was killed". Unconsciously, he allows the gods of destiny to lead him into the bloodied hands of fate. Oedipus is morally guilty for all the actions that he carried out. Even though he did not know it was his father, he killed a man. The Bible clearly states, "Thou shall not kill''. Oedipus did not kill to protect himself. This was an act of rage and sin.
             Oedipus initiated many of the situations that became his downfall. Human nature is to sin. "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." (Romans 6:23) To say that he did not mean to kill his father, or that he did not mean to force his servants to find the truth does not take away his responsibility. Every human that has ever lived has committed sin. Jesus Christ came to give us life, but in order to receive life we must ask forgiveness for our sins. This is a form of taking responsibility. Oedipus argues his innocence because he does not want to be responsible for his sin.
             He searched feverishly to prove that he was not morally guilty, not for the sake of others but for his own sake. Finally the truth appears to Oedipus by the voice of Tiresias saying, "I say, you are the killer you ...