Pride and Prejudice

In Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannous, the proganist is portrayed as a character that abuses his power because of his pride. Consequently, he becomes prejudiced towards others’ suggesting that ‘he’ is the seeked murderer. He is also narcissistic, and self-absorbed, thinking he can settle the “pollution” that is “festering in [his] land” (pg.4). Furthermore, he has an enthusiasm to discover the truth of who his real parents are, and becomes much tempered when an unexpected event arises. This generates too many questions for the readers. For example, how does this make his a treacherous ruler? What summons his Tyrannous to be viewed as a pessimistic rex, and why does he demolish? Overall, we will see that Oedipus’ pride, self absorption and temperament result in his tragic downfall.

Oedipus’ self absorption is portrayed in the first part of the play, when he is given the news that there is a “hidden sore festering in [his] land” (pg.4). He calms his people by showing them that the problem concerned him: “I chose not to hear from my messenger, but came myself--I came, Oedipus, Oedipus whose name is known to all”

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“The play exhibits a great man’s strength, however mistaken and impulsive he maybe. You, Oedipus, are the desecrator, the pollution of this land” (pg.

Oedipus’ temperament is learnt next in the play as he gets enraged by the news Teiresias brings him: “From this day deny yourself the right to speak to any one. This is seen as he compounds his rash behavior by accusing Creon of the murder of Laius. His pride does not allow him to see the consequences of what he seeks about his past.

There goes Oedipus__

He was the man who was able

To answer the riddle proposed by the Sphinx

Mighty Oedipus__

He was an object of envy

To all for his fortune and fame. She--she is a woman with a woman’s pride--and

she feels shame for my humble birth. Oedipus cannot overcome his rage or act rationally and rails at Teiresias upon hearing that he is destroying himself. He is hard when he should yield, cruel when he should pity: “Such natures deserve the pain they deserve” (pg. This illustrates his extreme eager to gain the knowledge that will help him rid the Thebes of its ill.

There goes Oedipus__

Now he is drowning in waves of dread and despair (pg.

Approximate Word count = 748
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

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