Oedipus' Curse of Curiosity
             In Oedipus the King Sophocles concocts one of the most famous and intricate characters of Greek drama. Oedipus' desire for self-discovery and understanding, which can be described as his tragic flaw, leads Oedipus to the lucid realization of his ominous fate. In the end, it can be seen that Oedipus' tragic flaw is his own determination and persistence. Contrary to Knox's belief that Oedipus' search for the truth is his only freedom or salvation, Oedipus unremitting need to know and his overbearing curiosity about his life traps him and leads to his demise.
             Oedipus's zealous curiosity is illustrated when Oedipus forces his prophet, Teiresias to reveal information that will lead to Oedipus' knowledge about the fate that awaits him. Initially, Oedipus unknowingly inquires about his own fate by asking Teiresias the identity of the murderer of King Laios. With the knowledge that Oedipus was the murderer of King Laios, Teiresias decides that it in his best interest, as a servant to his King, not to tell Oedipus the truth. After being asked who murdered King Laios, Teiresias responded, "How dreadful knowledge of the truth can be When there's no help in truth! I knew this well but made myself forget..."(Sophocles 17). At this point Oedipus, being the wise king and man he was, should have had the foresight to heed the advice of "Teiresias... the holy prophet In whom, alone of all men truth was born" (Sophocles 16), and stop inquiring about the killer or King Laios. If Oedipus had stopped there, Oedipus' realization of his own fate could have!
             been avoided. Instead of remitting, Oedipus continues questioning a scared and sully Teiresias. Upon receiving more adamant refusals to answer his questions Oedipus scolds Teiresias as he yells "What you say is ungracious and unhelpful To your native country. Do not refuse to speak."(Sophocl...