Oedipus the King was a man of high principles and intelligence that followed his intelligence to the final consequence of true self-knowledge. Oedipus's character contains all the virtues for which the Athenians were famous and the vices for which they were notorious. The best commentary on Oedipus's character is the speech that Thucydides made to a Corinthian spokesman at Sparta. "Athenians... [Are] equally quick in the conception and the execution of every new plan"-so Oedipus has already sent to Delphi when the priest advises him to do so and has already sent for Tiresias when the chorus suggests this course of action. "They are bold beyond their strength; they run risks which prudence would condemn"-as Oedipus risked his life to answer the riddle of the Sphinx and later, in spite of the oracle about his marriage, accepted the hand of the queen. "In the midst of misfortune they are full of hope"-so Oedipus, when he is told that he is not the son of Polybus and Merope, and Jocasta has already realized whose son he is, claims that he is the "child of Fortune." "When they do not carry out and intention that they have formed, they seem to have sustained a personal bereavement"-so Oedipus, shamed by Jocasta and the chorus into sparing Creon's life, gives up.
             Oedipus's answer to the priest at the beginning of the play shows that he is a conscientious and patriotic ruler. Oedipus has quick rage, but has all his confidence in the human intelligence, especially his own. When I read Oedipus the King I realized that he was already committed to the actions that were prophesied by the Oracle, but he was shocked to find out that the prophesy happened long ago without him even knowing it. Oedipus trusted and listened to the chorus (the community), because they were truthful and wise. Oedipus probably would be lost if it wasn't for the chorus leading him and giv...