oedipus rex blindness essay

Oedipus and Blindness in “Oedipus Rex” Essay

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In the play, Oedipus Rex, blindness and vision are opposing symbols. They are also both two-fold, that is they are sort of like a double-entendre in that they have both tangible and intangible symbols. In fact, it occurs all through the play in one way or another. There are those parts that have to do with the blind prophet, Teiresias, and those which refer to the blind Oedipus after he put out his own eyes. Then there are those places where the blindness is symbolic and not real at all, but really far more serious than the real blindness. In fact, this play seems to be all about the opposing forces of vision and blindness, real and symbolic.

Almost every time sight or blindness is mentioned it carries both meanings. In fact, they often occur in pairs, showing the audience the difference between wisdom or vision and blindness or ignorance. This is the first time in the play where either is mentioned, and sleeping and blind is contrasted with seeking and finding, “In this land, said the god; “who seeks shall find; / Who sits with folded hands or sleeps is blind.” (line 140) The line is made complete at the end of this part, (line 354-5) “Teiresias; he of all men best might guide / A searcher of this matter to the light.” It is just after this, that Oedipus says that he does not understand why the prophet does not attend since he has been sent for twice. Of course, we find out that he does not want to talk to Oedipus, since he knows that the source of the pestilence is the king.

Finally, Tieresius arrives, and Oedipus greets him, “Teiresias, seer who comprehendest all,/Lore of the wise and hidden mysteries,/High things of heaven and low things of the earth,/Thou knowest, though thy blinded eyes see naught” (line 380-83) Oedipus keeps at Tierasius, even accusing him of conspiring with Creon, Oedipus’ friend, until he finally speaks in anger, “since thou hast not spared/To twit me with my blindness–thou hast eyes,/Yet she’s not in what misery thou art fallen,/Nor where thou dwellest nor with whom for a mate.”(544-7) He goes on to say that Oedipus will see what horrible things he has done, and end his days as a blind wanderer. (lines 548-562) Again, this is a kind of blindness for Oedipus, because he does not believe the seer. Before he leaves, once more Tierasius says that Oedipus is blind, even though he sees and prophesies that he will become a blind wanderer. “For blind of seeing, clad in beggar’s weeds,/For purple robes, and leaning on his staff,/To a strange land he soon shall grope his way./And of the children, inmates of his home,/He shall be proved the brother and the sire,/Of her who bare him son and husband both,” (line 603-8).

During the part for the chorus this is mentioned again as they pray to Apollo, “But that a mortal seer knows more than I know–where Hath this been proven? / Or how without sign assured, / can I blame Him who saved our State when the winged songstress came,/Tested and tried in the light of us all like gold assayed? (line 661-6)They ask how they can know the truth when all they have seen is that Oedipus saved their country from the Sphinx. When Creon enters he asks, “Were not his wits and vision all astray/ When upon me he fixed this monstrous charge?” The chorus answers, “I know not; / to my sovereign’s acts I am blind” (691-3). They are talking here simply of spiritual or intellectual blindness, and claim innocence, saying they saw nothing. Creon argues his case and on lines 811-13 he points out that Oedipus is making rash charges without proof, another kind of emotional blindness. “But O condemn me not, without appeal,/ On bare suspicion. ‘Tis not right to adjudge/ Bad men at random good, or good men bad.”

Jocasta comes out to see them quarreling, and says they should not do this in front of the whole city, telling her brother to go home and her husband to go inside. After Creon leaves, still angry for being accused of conspiracy with the seer, Tierasius, and Jocasta stays to reassure Oedipus, the audience begins to “see” that this mystery is about to be resolved and that Oedipus is guilty. Jocasta also begins to fear the truth she suspects, that Oedipus might be her son. Oedipus questions her, “’Tis a dread presentiment/ That in the end, the seer will prove not blind./One further question to resolve my doubt.” (line 1040-2). They exit and once more the chorus pray for vision or wisdom, asking for vision from Zeus (line 1225-7).

In the following 300 lines, a visitor arrives to tell Oedipus of the death of his father, Polybus, hoping he will return home to rule. But Oedipus is still afraid because his mother lives and the oracle had foretold also that he would wed his mother and have children by her. So the visitor reveals that Polybus adopted him as a foundling and that it was he, himself who gave the child with his feet riveted together. He says the child was given to him by a shepherd he assumed was from Laius’s house. At this Jocasta becomes almost overcome with fear, because she knows what Laius did with the child. Oedipus says he must know and sends for the shepherd.

When the shepherd arrives, he is questioned and finally reveals that he took the child from Jocasta, and it was believed that it was her son from Laius. He was supposed to leave the baby exposed, but he pitied the child and figured he could give it to the shepherd from a distant land instead. He did not know the curse which was laid upon the child, so his act was one of simple kindness and pity for an unwanted child. When Oedipus realizes that he is, indeed, that child, then he suddenly “sees” the truth. “Ah me! ah me! all brought to pass, all true!/ O light, may I behold thee nevermore!/ I stand a wretch, in birth, in wedlock cursed,/ A parricide, incestuously, triply cursed!” ( line 1675-8).

Another messenger arrives to tell of the death of Jocasta and describe how the king found her and used her dressing pins to put out his own eyes. The messenger repeats what Oedipus said as he describes the horrible sight. “No more shall ye behold such sights of woe,/Deeds I have suffered and myself have wrought;/Henceforward quenched in darkness shall ye see/Those ye should ne’er have seen; now blind to those /Whom, when I saw, I vainly yearned to know” (line 1784-8). So now we clearly understand that Oedipus finally sees with wisdom that he was wrong and he has blinded himself so he will never see what he has done and what has been done to him. The sight here is both real and figurative.

When finally the audience again sees Oedipus, he is blind and says that he did it by his own hand and he has come to his prophesied end. “An end to dread to tell, too dark to see.” The chorus questions him about why he has done such a thing and Oedipus tells them,” Ah friend, still loyal, constant still and kind,/Thou carest for the blind./I know thee near, and though bereft of eyes, Thy voice I recognize.” The chorus replies, “O doer of dread deeds, how couldst thou mar/Thy vision thus? What demon goaded thee?” Then Oedipus replies, ”Apollo, friend, Apollo, he was/ That brought these ills to pass; But the right hand that dealt the blow /Was mine, none other. How/

How, could I longer see when sight/ Brought no delight?” He is still blaming the god, though he says he blinded himself, he blames the god for ordaining the cause. He still sees no fault in his arrogance and pride.

In lines 1893-1920, the chorus asks if Oedipus would not have been better off dead than living blind and we get all kinds of symbolic uses of sight and blindness as Oedipus replies that he could not bear to look upon his father or mother in the shade, and cannot bear to look upon the beauty of Thebes nor the faces of those whom he has so damaged by his presence and his sins, killing his father and marrying his mother, begetting children he cannot look in the face because they are cursed through him. He is condemned by his own words to death or banishment.

At the end of this play, Creon returns and brings with him the two daughters, Antigone and Ismene, who are led in to see their father before he goes into exile. He apologizes to them for what he has done, “Hands of a man who blindly, recklessly,/Became your sire by her from whom he sprang. He has begged Creon to care for them” (2033-4). He touches them and laments their fate, knowing that no man will want to marry them, because of their lineage. He says his sons can make their own way as men but begs Creon to care for his daughters since they are destined to be without a parent or spouse to provide for them. It is probable that orphan women who cannot marry become either slaves or prostitutes, and Oedipus cannot bear the thought of his daughters living like this.

Creon urges him to go inside, but Oedipus says he must be taken away to a desert and be banished from Thebes. Creon says it is for the god to declare this and sends Oedipus inside, declaring that this willfulness is what got him into such a horrible fix, that he needs to understand that this need to be master is what brought his downfall. Then Creon makes a final speech to all Thebans to pity their former king, “Who of all our townsmen gazed not on his fame with envious eyes?/ Now, in what a sea of troubles sunk and overwhelmed he lies!”(2096-7).

So we see the play has come full circle and the blind seers prophesy has come to pass, along with the predictions of both oracles. Oedipus was blinded by his pride and led into the actions which brought his sins upon him. He was too prideful to ask the oracle to explain the prediction. Then he was too prideful to let Laius pass. He killed his father, not knowing who he was, and being blinded once more by pride. He accused the seer and Creon falsely because he had not the wisdom to know that the oracle spoke the truth. He was so full of himself after solving the riddle of the sphinx that he failed to consider that if he married at all, it was possible to fulfill the oracle’s dire predictions. He just did not “see” the possibilities. He probably could not understand why the god would punish him so. Finally, he understood the horror, and then blinded himself, fulfilling the prophecy of Tierasius. However, even at the end of the play, he has to be reminded by Creon that his pride is blinding, and has brought all these things to pass.

Sophocles, 2008, Oedipus Rex , f. Storr translator, The Internet Classics Archive. Web.

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IvyPanda. (2021, October 11). Oedipus and Blindness in "Oedipus Rex". https://ivypanda.com/essays/oedipus-and-blindness-in-oedipus-rex/

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Bibliography

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• Aug 1, 2023

Oedipus and the Concept of Blindness

Blindness in literature is a recurring theme that holds significant symbolism and depth. Throughout various literary works, both ancient and modern, blindness is used as a powerful metaphor to explore the complexities of human existence, knowledge, and perception. In many literary classics, blindness is not only a physical condition but also represents a state of ignorance, arrogance or lack of understanding. Characters who are physically blind may possess profound insight into the human condition or possess a deeper understanding of truth and reality. On the other hand, characters with imperfect vision may remain blind to the deeper truths that surround them. In other words, blindness serves as a metaphor for the limitations of human perception and the complexities of human nature. Characters may be "blinded" by their own emotions, biases or desires, preventing them from seeing the world as it truly is. This theme often prompts readers to reflect on their own perceptions and the biases that may influence their understanding of the world.

Blindness in literature is not restricted to individuals but can also be applied to societies or institutions. Some authors, such as José Saramago, use the concept of collective blindness to criticize social systems that turn a blind eye to injustice, inequality, or corruption. This kind of portrayal, that could be mentioned as social blindness, serves as a call to action, urging readers to confront the issues that they might otherwise overlook.

Furthermore, blindness in literature often delves into the intricacies of self-discovery and the search for meaning and purpose. Characters may embark on a journey of introspection, trying to "see" beyond the superficialaspects of life to find a deeper sense of identity and truth. Overall, the theme of blindness in literature remains a rich and multifaceted subject that continues to captivate readers and invite introspection. Through the exploration of physical and metaphorical blindness, authors use this powerful theme to shed light on the complexities of the human experience and challenge readers to reconsider their perceptions and assumptions about the world around them.

 Generally speaking blindness in literature has a broad significance and can lead to a wide array of possible combinations, so this article will focus specifically on Oedipus Rex (Sophocles, 430-420 BC), the most famous text of Ancient Greek Literature about this theme.

Oedipus Rex : the Plot

In the annals of ancient Greek literature, Sophocles' Oedipus Rex (Cantarella, 1962) stands as a monumental tragedy that delves into the depths of human destiny, the Greek hybris (Eng. “arrogance”), and the inexorable workings of the divine will.

The play begins with King Oedipus sending his brother-in-law, Creon, to consult the oracle at Delphi about the cause of the plague afflicting the city of Thebes. Creon returns with the news that the plague is caused by the unresolved murder of the former King, Laius. Determined to bring justice and end the suffering, Oedipus vows to find the murderer and curses him for his crimes. Oedipus seeks the help of the blind prophet Tiresias, asking him to reveal who murdered Laius. After several hesitations, after Oedipus’ continuous begging, Tiresias confesses that Oedipus himself is the murderer he is looking for. The King cannot believe him and the argument grows until Oedipus shoos away Tiresias, who curses him predicting he will be ending blind and errant.

Oedipus tells everything to his wife Jocasta, the Queen of Thebes, and she tries to comfort Oedipus claiming that the prophecies are unreliable by telling him the prophecy regarding Laius, her first husband: it had been predicted that he would be killed by his own son, but —she says— Laius was murdered by bandits at a crossroads. This mention of the crossroads triggers something in Oedipus's memory, and as Jocasta describes the events leading to Laius's death, Oedipus becomes increasingly disturbed, realizing that he might be effectively the one who killed the former king. In fact, years before, Oedipus had heard a disturbing prophecy hinting that he would kill his father and marry his mother at a banquet in Corinth. In fear of fulfilling the prophecy, Oedipus had fled Corinth and had ended up at a crossroads where he had killed a man who now resembles the man in Jocasta’s description. However, Oedipus still hopes that he is not the murderer, as he heard that Laius was killed by multiple robbers.

Unfortunately, he comes to discover the truth: a messenger from comes with news of the death of Oedipus's supposed father, King Polybus of Corinth. Oedipus’s relief for not having killed his father is brief, as the messenger inadvertently reveals that Polybus was not Oedipus’ real father: in fact, when Oedipus was a newborn, he had been found abandoned and had been given to Polybus to be raised as the prince of Corinth. Oedipus wants to discover all the truth, then, so he forces a reply from the only living witness of this event, the shepherd who had found the abandoned baby. When he gets in front of Oedipus, he reveals he was the one who gave the infant Oedipus to the messenger, and that the child was Laius's own son. Fearing the prophecy that the boy would kill his father, Jocasta – wife to Laius and mother to Oedipus - had ordered the infant to be exposed on the mountainside.

Devastated by this atrocious revelations, he understands that the prophecy had become true: he had killed his father Laius and married his mother Jocasta. Even though his only sin had been ignorance, he blinds himself by tearing his own eyes out and begs to be exiled from Thebes, while Jocasta commits suicide. Despite the pain of his tragic fate, Oedipus has the strength to accept responsibility for his actions and their consequences. Sophocles' Oedipus Rex delves into the complexities of human nature, the limits of perception, and the unyielding force of destiny. It explores the Greek concept of hybris or arrogance and the inexorable workings of divine will. Oedipus's journey reflects a profound exploration of his soul as he grapples with the conflict between reason and ancient knowledge, secret obligations, and prohibitions.

Blindness in Ancient Greece

The theme of blindness permeates the entire narrative, both literally and metaphorically, serving as a complex commentary on human ignorance, arrogance, and on the paradox of knowledge. At a literal level, the play explores the motif of physical blindness, notably exemplified by the tragic fate of Oedipus himself. The once-great king, who possessed keen insight and foresight, ultimately blinds himself upon discovering the truth of his action. That is the symbol of his new awareness and acknowledgment of the darkness within himself.

 Metaphorically, blindness is seen in various characters throughout the play, as they remain unaware of the reality in front of them, despite having access to the truth. Oedipus' relentless pursuit of the truth, ironically, blinds him to the prophetic warnings and, in turn, the inevitability of his own tragic destiny. Additionally, characters such as Jocasta and Tiresias, despite possessing knowledge of Oedipus's true parentage, choose to remain figuratively blind, unwilling to face the reality. Thus, the theme of blindness in Oedipus Rex serves as a powerful reminder of the limitations of human perception, the dangers of unchecked pride, and the inescapable consequences of ignorance towards an overwhelming fate (Diano, 1968).

However, it is important to remember that this way of describing blindness had a major impact on western culture. For example, a pivotal author of the 20th Century Italian literature, Pier Paolo Pasolini, decided to make a movie out of Oedipus Rex . In the scene when Oedipus is facing the Sphinx, Pasolini adds a variation, so the Sphinx, rather than just asking the riddle, says: “The abyss you are pushing me towards is actually inside yourself”. This is just one of the many examples in which the experience of Oedipus’ blindness can be used, as prophecies need blindness to exist, both towards the future and what it holds. When it comes to seeing the unknown, only the deprivation of specific senses can help a diviner to actually see. By leaving the seen world he can focus on details that wouldn’t be grasped the same way. It appears clear why both Destiny and Tyché, the goddess of chaos, are indeed blindfolded. So is Justice.

In Sophocles' tragedy, the role of diviners is significant. Tiresias, being blind, becomes the only one capable of unraveling the enigma of the plague and of Oedipus’ life, working as a mirror image of the protagonist. It seems that true inner sight requires the abandonment of physical vision. However, at the time there was a considerable skepticism towards diviners, despite the population's reliance upon them. The main settings of the tragedy remain Thebes and Delphi, the only places where truth and divination appear to meet. It is essential to note that the Greeks refer to the truth with the word alétheia , which means what is not hidden, what is revealed, in opposition to what is clear from the beginning. Paradoxically Oedipus admires Tiresias' blindness, yet only he, through his negative sight, is able to reveal the truth, while Oedipus, with his working eyes, can only uncover illusions.

This tragedy delves into the complexities of the human psyche, the inexorable power of fate, and the elusive nature of truth. It leads the audience to think about the consequences of seeking knowledge and the limitations of human perception.

The Role of Fate and Destiny

In ancient Greek literature, the concepts of fate and destiny held profound significance, shaping people's perception of the world and influencing their beliefs, actions, and decisions (Sissa, 2011). It is essential to draw a distinction between these two terms to understand their roles in the Greek worldview.

Fate, often depicted as an unchangeable force beyond human control, was viewed as a preordained course of events that dictated the lives of individuals, regardless of their actions or desires. This belief in fate was deeply rooted in Greek religious and mythological traditions, where powerful deities were believed to determine mortals' destinies by spinning the thread of life, measuring its length and ultimately cutting it. This fatalistic outlook on life left humans subject to the whims of higher powers beyond their comprehension, and they could not alter it. The Moirai, often referred to as the Fates, were three goddesses responsible for distributing destinies to individuals. They metaphorically divided the threads of life, and each person received a specific part, symbolized by a wire intertwined with others. Once cut at a precise point, that portion of destiny was fixed and could not be altered. Thus, destiny existed in the allotted part of the wire, while fate was intertwined with the path that wire took.

On the other hand, the concept of Destiny was deeply linked to Fate, and depended on it. Fate, in Ancient Greek, is called “Týche” as the deity, and the translation is simple yet self-explanatory, as it just means “to happen”. This clarifies the idea below the Týche, as it is something that happens and, at the same time, is inevitable.

 In the context of Oedipus Rex, the benevolent yet blind goddess Týche played a role in shaping Oedipus's destiny. However, it should be kept in mind that the Olympus' gods saw conceived the universe as a game, a realm of absolute freedom and imagination, born out of boredom. Still, unlike other heroes who had protective deities guiding their paths, Oedipus lacked such guidance, leaving his fate uncertain. He is left with his own destiny as every human is, without any help.  So, the ancient Greeks believed that each person possessed a destiny initially governed by causality. The concept of the Moirai distributing portions of destiny illustrates this belief, as it suggests that once a part was given, it could not be altered or extended.

An example of this intertwined concept of fate and destiny can be found in Oedipus Rex . Oedipus, upon learning of a prophetic curse foretelling that he would kill his father and marry his mother, made every effort to avoid this fate by leaving his supposed parents. However, unknowingly and inevitably, Oedipus fulfills the prophecy through a series of seemingly unrelated events driven by divine forces (Kamerbeek, 1982). This play illustrates the inexorable nature of destiny, emphasizing the concept of tragic inevitability prevalent in ancient Greek society. Despite Oedipus's determined attempts to defy the prophecy, his actions unknowingly led him to its fulfillment (Segal, 2001).

Thus Ancient Greek literature discerned between fate and destiny, with fate representing an unchangeable force governing events beyond human control and destiny being the allotted portion of life's path governed by causality. Oedipus Rex  serves as an example, showcasing the intertwined nature of fate and destiny in tragic inevitability. The play's portrayal emphasizes the Greeks' belief that even the most powerful and willful individuals were subject to the whims of destiny, highlighting the complexity of human existence within the bounds of fate and destiny (Rutherford, 2001).

The saga of Oedipus delves profoundly into the intricacies of human vulnerability, destiny, and the journey of self-discovery. This odyssey serves as an introspective exploration into the profound depths of our very soul. Condemned from his birth by a malevolent curse and prophecy, Oedipus finds himself torn between the enigmatic riddles of antiquity and the rationality of the present age. He is an old and wise man who has to come to terms with the mysteries of divination and prophecies. Despite his triumph in solving the enigma of the Sphinx, his tragic ignorance of his own complicity in Thebes' downfall remains concealed. His inherent weaknesses become palpable, leading to a transformation from a law-abiding and revered ruler into a tyrannical figure. Jocasta, Oedipus' wife and unknowingly his mother, realizes the imminent danger ahead of him. This compels her to make a heartbreaking choice to end her life and warn him against uncovering the truth, knowing that knowing too much might lead to his downfall.

Ironically, Oedipus, in his earnest reliance on rationality, finds himself looking for answers from the blind seer Tiresias, recognizing the need for his profound insights to unveil the veracity of his reality. Thus, it is the sightless Oedipus who ultimately unravels the illusion of his existence. The tragedy artfully interweaves the eternal struggle between reason and ancient wisdom, shadowed by hidden obligations and unyielding prohibitions.

Ultimately, the narrative presents life as a game of illusions, where everything is a play. Oedipus's tumultuous journey not only captures the essence of human frailty but also serves as a reminder of the impenetrable veil shrouding the enigma of our existence.

Bibliographical References

Cantarella, R. (1962). Storia della letteratura greca . Nuova Accademia Editrice.

Diano, C. (1968). Edipo figlio della Tyche, in Saggezza e Poetiche degli antichi, Neri Pozza.

Guidorizzi, G. (2002). Letteratura greca. Da Omero al secolo VI d.C . Mondadori Università.

Kamerbeek, J. C. (1982). The Plays of Sophocles: Commentaries 1-7 (Vol. 2). Leiden: E. J. Brill.

Segal, C. (2001). Oedipus Tyrannus: Tragic Heroism and the Limits of Knowledge . Oxford University Press.

Sissa, G. (2011). The Daily Life of the Greek Gods . Stanford University Press.

Sofocle, (2006), Edipo Re, Edipo a Colono, Antigone. Oscar Mondadori.

Rutherford, R. B. (2001). The Art of Plato: Ten Essays in Platonic Interpretation . Bloomsbury Academic.

Visual Sources

Cover image: Moreau, G. (1864). Oedipus and the Sphinx. [Painting]. MoMa. Retrieved July 30th 2023, from: https://www.socialnews.it/blog/2021/02/11/edipo-e-la-sfinge/

Figure 1: Romagnoli, E. (1926). Engraving of the “Edipo Re”. Retrieved July 30th 2023, from: https://it.m.wikisource.org/wiki/Edipo_re_(Sofocle_-_Romagnoli)#/media/File%3ASofocle-4.png

Figure 2: De Chirico, G. (1968). Oedipus and the Sphynx. [Oil on canvas]. Today at Fondazione De Chirico, Rome. Retrieved July 30th 2023, from: https://mythologiae.unibo.it/index.php/2017/05/29/edipo-e-la-sfinge-2/

Figure 2: Attic vase (kylix) representing Oedipus and the Sphinx. (470 BC). today at the Vatican Museums. Retrieved July 30th 2023, from: https://m.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani-mobile/it/collezioni/musei/museo-gregoriano-etrusco/sala-xix--emiciclo-inferiore--collezione-dei-vasi--ceramica-atti/kylix-attica-del-pittore-di-edipo.html

Figure 3: Pasolini, P. P. (1967). Edipo Re [Still]. Retrieved July 30th 2023, from: https://www.cinemaepsicologia.it/edipo-re-di-pier-paolo-pasolini/amp/

Figure 4: Strudwick, J. M. (1885). A golden thread. [Painting]. Retrieved July 30th 2023, from: https://it.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moire#/media/File%3AStrudwick_-_A_Golden_Thread.jpg

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The irony of blindness in "Oedipus Rex"

Oedipus, the main character in Sophocles' play Oedipus Rex, could not see the truth, he is known for his intelligence yet ignorant and therefore blind to the truth about himself and his past. But the blind man, Teiresias, "saw" it plainly. Sophocles uses blindness as an irony in Oedipus Rex.

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In King Oedipus (429 B.C.E) by Sophocles and Death of a Salesman (1949 A.D) by Arthur Miller, the central characters Oedipus and Willy Loman take extreme pride in their professions; their pride blinds them from seeing the reality of their circumstances, and it eventually brings their ruin. At the same time, the other characters also display their figurative blindness in both the tragedies. However, it is demonstrated that the protagonists do not succeed in executing their responsibilities as leaders and instead encircle themselves with personal conflicts, which affect their families and others. They strive to rise above their problems with a view to avoiding any possibility of failure. Accordingly, they imbibe willingness in their nature to bring happiness in their plain lives. Ironically, just like Oedipus, Willy Loman never realises the full truth of himself and goes through his life in a blind manner.

Md. Roknuzzaman Suruz

The myth of Sophocles's Oedipus Rex is revolved on the three interactive perspectives of fate, truth and self-will, making the play a most remarkable one in the fifth century Greece when all the plays focused on the manifestation of God's will under which man's behavior was undoubtedly directed. What gives the play its tragic intensity is not the horror it arouses of patricide or incest but the meaning of fate that God bestows to Oedipus in his endeavor of truth seeking. What's most important, it is the sentimental self-will of Oedipus that makes the play distinguished from other plays during the age of Sophocles' and makes him an outstanding figure in the fifth century Greek. Though Sophocles' plays could not detach themselves from the influence of religious requirement, namely, the divine will, a theme prevailing during his age, he endeavors to present a comparatively different approach of morality, a refusal to compromise of the hero's fate confined by god in literary works of the fifth century Greece. It seems that Sophocles employs the oracles not for the sake of worshipping the Gods, but rather, for the presentation of man's inner strength seeking truths about the conditions of life or about human character based on truth. Résumé: Le mystère d'Oedipus Rex de Sophocles réside dans les trois perspectives interactives : destin,vérité et entêtement, qui rendent ce drame l'un des plus remarquables du XVe siècle de la Grèce où toutes les pièces se consacraient à manifester la volonté de Dieu par laquelle le comportement de l'homme était incontestablement guidé. Ce qui donne à cette pièce son intensité tragique, ce n'est pas la horreur de parricide ou d'inceste, mais le sens du destin que Dieu accorde à Oedipus dans sa recherche de vérité. Ce qui est le plus important, c'est l'entêtement sentimental d'Oedipus qui distingue cette pièce des autre de l'époque de Sophocles et le rend la plus célèbre figure du XVe siècle de la Grèce. Bien que les pièces de Sophocles ne puissent se détacher de l'influence de la demande religieuse, à savoir la volonté divine-un thème prédominant de l'époque, le dramaturge a cherché à présenter une approche relatively différente de la morale, un refus de faire le compromis sur le destin du héros déterminé par Dieu dans les ouvrages littéraires grecs du XVe siècle. Il semble que Sophocles emploie l'oracle non pour vénérer Dieu, mais pour montrer la force intérieure de l'homme dans la recherche de la vérité sur les conditions de vie ou sur les caractères humains basés sur la vérité. Mots-Clés: destin, recherche de la vérité, entêtement, oracle

International journal of research in English

Bhat Shahid

The current exploration work manages the dramatic ironies which are utilized in the popular Greek tragedy "Oedipus the King" composed by Sophocles. "Oedipus the king" is likewise known by the Latin title "Oedipus Rex" which is an Athenian tragedy by Sophocles and was first acted in 429 B.C. Oedipus Rex Chronicles the tale of Oedipus, a man who turns into the king of Thebes who was predetermined from birth to kill his father Laius and wed his mother Jocasta. The play is an illustration of an exemplary misfortune (tragedy), recognizably containing an accentuation on how Oedipus' own issues add to the deplorable saint's ruin, rather than having destiny be the sole reason. "Oedipus Rex", delivered by Sophocles in the development of his forces, is his show-stopper. Aristotle additionally viewed this play as Sophocles best and he often alluded to it as the ideal kind of shocking arrangement. Its significance lies in the mix of a flawlessly developed plot with the significance understanding into human rationale and condition. In this paper we examined the dramatic ironies of this renowned Greek tragedy.

Journal of Jungian Scholarly Studies

Inez Martinez

Sophocles’s Oedipus plays depict failed integration of self-knowledge as worthy of divinization. Acting out vengeance is the evidence of Oedipus’s failed integration. Oedipus’s task of integration pivots on grasping in what sense he can be understood as guilty. His plight demonstrates that ignorance is part of unconsciousness and, contrary to Jung’s attitude toward ignorance, requires some kind of coping with responsibility. Vengeance was a conscious value among the ancient Greeks. In Sophocles’s last play, Oedipus at Colonus, Oedipus acts out vengeance against his sons, and Sophocles divinizes this acting out through having Oedipus join the goddesses, the Furies. This divinization suggests that vengeance is archetypal, depending on culture only for images of manifestation. I argue that Oedipus’s acting out of vengeance can be read as symptomatic of a cultural complex. I identify the situation leading to his acting out as his failure to imagine how creatively to take responsibility ...

The American Journal of Psychoanalysis

Nichole Mix

This paper explores the relationships between experienced defect and the subsequent shame and longing for recognition. A clinical vignette is presented in which a young woman sought treatment for her infidelity to her husband: a behavior she found totally mystifying and deeply troubling. Using Bollas’ concept of “the unthought known,” parallels are drawn between this patient, who was adopted at 2 weeks of age, and Oedipus’ experience of knowing and not knowing his fate. A case is made for the idea that we both avoid and seek to know what is unbearable about ourselves, including our sense of defects. One motivation for this is the longing to be seen, recognized, known, and, finally, know one’s self.

Steven Smith

Symbolae Philologorum Posnaniensium Graecae et Latinae

Elżbieta Wesołowska

The author of Oedipus Rex manages to reconstruct the hero’s life path against the background of the map of Greece of his day. In doing so he constructs the imaginary of the protagonist’s identity, one that is inextricably linked to his mental blindness as opposed to the tragic, self-inflicted blindness meted out to himself as a punishment for his crimes.

Ezema Emmanuel C

Luke Judkins

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Oedipus — Oedipus the King: Analysis of Tragic Hero and Themes

Oedipus The King: Analysis of Tragic Hero and Themes

• Categories: Oedipus

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Published: Jan 31, 2024

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Table of contents

Background information, analysis of the tragic hero, examination of fate and free will, exploration of the theme of blindness, examination of the themes of knowledge and ignorance.

• Sophocles. Oedipus the King. Penguin Classics, 1967.
• McAuley, Karen. “Themes in Greek Tragedy : Oedipus the King.” English Tutor, 11 Mar. 2021, englishtutorlessons.com/gcse/greek-myths-and-tragedies/oedipus-the-king/.
• Segal, Charles. “Sophocles' Oedipus the King and Freud's Oedipus Complex.” International Journal of Psychoanalysis , vol. 70, no. 1, 1989, pp. 1–13.

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Oedipus Rex: Tragedy, Fate, and Ancient Wisdom

This insightful essay delves into the timeless tragedy of “Oedipus Rex” by Sophocles, exploring its profound narrative and enduring themes. It presents Oedipus’s tragic journey, marked by his efforts to escape a harrowing prophecy, only to fulfill it inadvertently. The essay highlights the play’s exploration of fate versus free will, the quest for truth, and the limits of human knowledge. It discusses the symbolic contrast between sight and blindness, emphasizing how physical vision differs from insight. The piece reflects on the play’s commentary on the human condition, touching on universal experiences of suffering, the pursuit of knowledge, and the journey towards self-awareness. Concluding with the acknowledgment of Sophocles’ literary genius, the essay portrays “Oedipus Rex” as not just a cornerstone of classical literature, but a mirror to the timeless and complex nature of human existence, posing questions about fate, free will, and the essence of human understanding that continue to resonate in the modern world. Additionally, PapersOwl presents more free essays samples linked to Oedipus Rex.

How it works

Dive into the world of ancient Greek drama, and you’ll encounter “Oedipus Rex,” a play that’s not just a story but a journey into the complex interplay of fate, free will, and human nature. Written by Sophocles, one of the three great tragedians of classical Athens, this play is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time, resonating with audiences for centuries.

“Oedipus Rex,” also known as “Oedipus the King,” unravels the tale of Oedipus, the king of Thebes, known for his intelligence and quick problem-solving.

The story hinges on a prophecy that Oedipus would kill his father and marry his mother, a fate he desperately tries to avoid. However, the more Oedipus tries to escape his destiny, the closer he gets to fulfilling it. The tragic irony of Oedipus’s situation lies at the heart of the play’s enduring appeal.

At the start of the play, Thebes is suffering from a plague, and Oedipus vows to save his city. His quest for the truth leads to the realization of the dreadful prophecy’s fulfillment. The journey of Oedipus is a profound exploration of themes like fate versus free will, the nature of truth, and the limits of human knowledge. Sophocles masterfully weaves these themes into the narrative, creating a play that is as thought-provoking as it is tragic.

One of the most striking aspects of “Oedipus Rex” is its exploration of fate and free will. The ancient Greeks believed in the power of fate and the gods’ influence on human lives, but Sophocles introduces the idea that human actions and free will also play a significant role in shaping destiny. Oedipus’s relentless pursuit of the truth, despite numerous warnings to stop, highlights the complexity of human agency and the consequences of our choices.

The play also delves into the theme of sight and blindness. Oedipus, known for his clear-sightedness in solving the riddle of the Sphinx, is ironically blind to the truth of his own situation. This metaphorical blindness versus the literal blindness of the prophet Tiresias creates a dramatic contrast. It underscores the idea that physical sight is not the same as insight or understanding, a concept that resonates deeply in the human experience.

“Oedipus Rex” is not just a tale of personal tragedy but also a reflection of the human condition. It touches on the universal human experience of suffering, the quest for knowledge, and the often painful journey towards self-awareness. The play’s tragic end, where Oedipus blinds himself upon realizing the truth, serves as a powerful reminder of the price of knowledge and the fragility of human existence.

In conclusion, “Oedipus Rex” by Sophocles is a cornerstone of classical literature, a play that transcends time and culture. Its exploration of themes like fate, truth, and human nature continues to captivate and provoke thought among modern audiences. It’s a testament to Sophocles’ genius and the enduring power of Greek tragedy to reflect the complexities and paradoxes of the human experience. As we revisit this ancient masterpiece, we find ourselves confronting the same fundamental questions about fate, free will, and the human condition that have intrigued humanity for millennia.

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• Oedipus Rex

Read our detailed notes below on the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles . Our notes cover Oedipus Rex summary, themes, characters and analysis.

Introduction

Oedipus Rex is a famous tragedy written by Sophocles. It is also known by its Greek name “Oedipus Tyrannus” or “Oedipus the king”. It was first performed in 429 BC. Sophocles is now placed among the great ancient Greek Tragedians. He wrote three famous tragedies that include Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus and Antigone that describe the sufferings of a king and his children after him.

Aristotle in his “The Poetics” called this play an exemplary Greek tragedy. “Oedipus Rex” is also considered as the first detective story in the history of Western Literature. 

Definition of a tragedy

A tragedy is a sub-genre of drama that is serious and in which the main character or the hero of the play meets a tragic end because of his tragic flaw or hamartia. In Oedipus Rex, it is observed that the hamartia of Oedipus is his excessive pride or hubris which later becomes the reason behind his tragic downfall. 

In this play, when a child is born in king Laius’ house, he consults an oracle to ask him about his son’s fate. The oracle tells Laius that he will be killed by his own son.  Terrified of the prophecy, Laius binds his son’s feet with a pin and asks his wife to kill him. Jocasta gives her son a servant to kill him because being a mother she can’t kill her own son.

The servant left the child on a mountain top to die but then he feels a soft corner for him and gives him to a shepherd to take him far away. The shepherd names the child as “Oedipus” which means “swollen foot” because his feet get swollen due to the pin that bound his feet together. The shepherd takes the child to Corinth and gives him to Polybus and Merope, the king and queen of Corinth where he grows up as their child.

Oedipus Rex Summary

The play starts outside the palace of King Oedipus. The city of Thebes is shown suffering a plague because of which people are terrified. The fields become barren and people start suffering from different diseases. The people of Thebes gather along with a priest and other elders to request Oedipus, the king of Thebes, to help them and save them from this plague.  They come to the king to ask for help because he saved them once from the sphinx too. The sphinx was a monster with the woman’s head, lioness’ body, eagle’s wings and serpent’s tale.

The sphinx stood at the entrance to the city of Thebes and used to ask riddles from the people who came across her and killed those who failed to solve her riddles. Oedipus solved her riddle and she killed herself. People made Oedipus their king as he was brave and saved them from the monster. As their former king was murdered so Oedipus got married to Jocasta, the former queen, and became the king of Thebes. 

Now the people believe that the plague is sent to them by God Apollo because he is angry and wants to punish them. The king tells them that he is more worried than all of them. He knows that they are sick and in pain but that is their individual pain while Oedipus suffers the pain of all and he cried for them too. He says that he has found one way to get rid of these problems so he already has sent Creon, his brother-in-law, to the house of Apollo at Delphi to ask the oracle about this matter and its solution.

Soon Creon returns after talking to the oracle. Initially, Creon feels reluctant to speak in front of the whole crowd but then Oedipus forces him to speak and he tells everyone that there is a solution to get rid of the plague. The oracle tells him that if the murderer of Laius, the former king of Thebes before Oedipus, is found and the justice is brought to him, only then the plague will leave this place. Oedipus promises everyone that he will find the man who killed their king and caused the plague and ensures that he will punish him for his deeds. The priest and the people become satisfied and leave.

A chorus is a group of singers that includes the elders of Thebes. After the completion of the first scene, they sing a prayer to their gods for the recovery of their city from the plague. They pray to many gods including Apollo to save them from death and destruction as Apollo saved them once from Sphinx.

Oedipus appreciates the chorus for their prayers. Oedipus then addresses to all the people and forbids them to give shelter to the murderer of king Laius. He also announces that if the murderer is present in the crowd, he can come forward and admit his crime. However, he promises not to kill the person if he comes forward to surrender and he only suggests banishment for him. The chorus suggests Oedipus to call Teiresias, the blind prophet, to resolve this matter. Oedipus tells them that he has already sent someone to call him.

When Teiresias arrives, he claims that he knows the killer but he refuses to tell. Oedipus forces him to tell but he continuously refuses the king saying that the truth will only bring pain for him and nothing else. He also advises the king to abandon his search for the killer. Oedipus gets enraged and he accuses Teiresias of the murder saying that he is concealing the truth because he himself is the murderer. Oedipus threatens to kill him and hence he is forced to tell the truth. Teiresias tells that Oedipus is the killer of king Laius.

Oedipus doesn’t trust him and considers it just as nonsense. He threatens Teiresias by saying that he will always regret saying this nonsense against his king and he considers it is a plot of Creon against him and Oedipus believes that Creon has paid Teiresias to say these things.  Oedipus orders him to leave.  Teiresias then leaves saying his last riddle. He tells that the murderer is in front of them, he is the killer of his father and the husband of his mother, he is the brother of his own children and the son of his own wife, a man who came seeing but will leave this world in blindness.

The chorus also believes in their king and they refuse to accept that Oedipus has committed any crime. They consider him a faithful king who saved their city once because of his wisdom. They also start questioning the wisdom and prophecies of Teiresias.

When Creon enters, he asks people whether it is true that the king accused Teiresias and asked him to leave.  He claims that he never thinks of harming king Oedipus and now he has heard rumours that the king accuses him of treachery. The chorus tries to talk to Creon but Oedipus appears and accuses Creon of killing king Laius and stealing his crown. He orders to execute Creon because of conspiring against him. The chorus and Jocasta, the wife of Oedipus and the sister of Creon, request the king to spare his life and let him go.

Jocasta asks Oedipus why he is so upset. He tells her about Teiresias and his prophecy. She relieves Oedipus by saying that he should not take the prophets and their prophecies seriously because they are never true. She starts telling him about one of the oracles who came to her and king Laius, long time ago and told them that King Laius will be killed by his own son so they gave their child to a shepherd to kill him. Everyone knows that the prophecy was wrong as the king was killed by some robbers at the crossroads when he was on his way to Delphi.

Her story troubles Oedipus. As she tells him that the king was killed at a place where three roads meet, Oedipus reminds of a similar incident that happened in his life. He also killed a stranger at a place where three roads met. He becomes worried and starts thinking about what Teiresias said. He asks Jocasta to tell him further about this incident and also investigates the appearance of king Laius. The description of Laius by Jocasta is exactly the same as the stranger killed by Oedipus. 

Jocasta tells him that there was an eyewitness to the king’s death. He was a herdsman and he swore that there were five robbers who killed Laius. Oedipus calls the herdsman.  While they await the witness, Jocasta asks Oedipus why he seems worried. Oedipus starts telling her about his past. He tells her that once when he was young, someone told him that he was not the real son of his father. He asked his parents about it but they refused to say that it was not true.

Then he went to an oracle to ask him about reality. The oracle told him that according to his fate, he will kill his father and marry his mother. Oedipus tells her that he left his home and Corinth because he was frightened of this prophecy. Later on his journey, he messed up with a stranger who was a proud man and insulted him badly. He ended up killing him and it was the place where three roads met. He tells her that he is worried because he fears that the stranger he killed might have been Laius.

Oedipus tells Jocasta that he will not be worried anymore if the herdsman swears that he witnessed the king Laius was killed by robbers and not by me. He prays and hopes that the witness will save him from guilt and the punishment that he announced himself.  Oedipus and Jocasta go to the palace and start waiting for him. 

The elders pray to god Zeus and Apollo to pay attention to this serious matter and to help them solve the mystery.

Jocasta leaves the palace to go to the temple to pray for Oedipus and his safety. She also advises him not to worry as it makes her and all other people tense to see their king in this condition.  After some time, a messenger came from Corinth to deliver the news of the death of Oedipus’ father Polybus, the king of Corinth.The messenger tells Oedipus that the people of Corinth now want to make him the ruler that’s why he came to him.

Jocasta and Oedipus feel relief on this news. Jocasta becomes happy and tells Oedipus that this is another proof that proves the prophecies wrong. Oedipus believes her but he tells her that he is still worried about the other prophecy that he will marry his mother. The messenger tells Oedipus that now he doesn’t need to stay away from his home, Corinth. He tells him that he can come back any time without any fear because his mother, Merope, is not his real mother and Polybus was not his real father either.

Oedipus becomes really worried and he gets shocked on hearing this. He asks the messenger how he knows about all this. The messenger tells him that years ago someone gave him a baby and he gave it to the king and the queen of Corinth as they had no child. The baby was pierced through the ankles and Oedipus also has some marks on his ankles that prove it true. Oedipus asks him about the person who gave him the baby. He tells Oedipus that a servant of king Laius gave him the baby. Oedipus orders his men to find out that servant. 

The messenger also suggests Oedipus to take help from Jocasta as she gave her baby to that servant so she can identify him easily. Jocasta becomes nervous and horrified by the bitter truth. She begs Oedipus to stop his quest for truth. Oedipus tells her that he has promised people to solve this mystery and save them from trouble so now he will investigate and find out the truth. Jocasta gets more worried and leaves. Oedipus again swears to assure his people that he will not stop his investigation. 

The chorus sings happily because of the new information delivered by the messenger. They also perform the holy dance and they are excited to know about their king’s real parents because they think that Oedipus is the son of some god.

Finally, Oedipus’ men come with a shepherd. Seeing the terrible condition of Jocasta, the chorus also starts thinking that something bad is going to happen so they also start begging Oedipus to leave the mystery unsolved but Oedipus doesn’t listen to them either. The shepherd looks terrified and doesn’t want to answer the king’s question. Oedipus forces him to tell the truth. He tells Oedipus it is true that he gave a baby boy to another shepherd. He admits that the baby was king Laius’ son whom Jocasta and Laius left to die on a hillside because they were terrified of an oracle’s prophecy.

The truth is finally revealed. Oedipus feels devastated thinking how he killed his father and got married to his mother and has four kids. He starts hating his identity and leaves the place. He starts searching a sword in the palace to kill himself. When he enters his bedroom, he finds that Jocasta is already dead. She came running to her room after the truth got revealed and she committed suicide by hanging herself.  

Seeing her body, Oedipus becomes more depressed. He takes out the gold brooches from the queen’s dress and plunges them in his eyes. He feels severe pain as the stream of blood starts flowing through her eyes. He becomes blind forever. He cries out that he shouldn’t be able to see again in his life as he committed a terrible sin and brought destruction for all the people. He also requests the chorus to kill him.  

Creon also enters the palace after hearing the whole story. He consoles Oedipus and asks him to come inside so that no one can see him. Oedipus also begs Creon to let him leave the city but he suggests meeting Apollo first. Oedipus refuses to meet anyone. Oedipus says that the only punishment for the sinner is banishment.  He requests Creon to bring his daughters to him as he wants to meet them before leaving. He also asks Creon to take care of them. 

Oedipus leaves the city as he himself announced that the punishment for Laius’ killer will only be banishment so he acts upon his words. Creon and Oedipus’ daughters go back to the palace and the chorus laments on the terrible fate of their king, Oedipus. 

The chorus becomes surprised because the truth was concealed from them for so long. Moreover, they feel pity for the king’s fate and cry over his misfortune. They discuss how the king was a worthy man who achieved much in his life like solving the riddle of Sphinx and becoming the king of Thebes but everything gets ruined because of his cruel fate. The play ends when the Chorus says, “Count no man happy till he dies, free of pain at last”.

Themes in Oedipus Rex

It is the main theme of this play and fate plays an important role in the whole play.  When king Laius and queen Jocasta hear the prophecy that their son will kill his father and marry his mother, they leave their son to die but the child doesn’t die and is taken to Corinth. When Oedipus grows up, he also comes to know about this prophecy so he leaves that place but he doesn’t know that his fate is taking him towards his real parents. No matter how hard he tries to escape his fate, he does the same as was written. The role of fate remains prominent in the play and in the end, Oedipus finds that he is only a puppet in the hands of gods and prophets.

Individual will/action

Though it was Oedipus’ fate to kill his father and marry his mother yet there were certain actions that could have saved him from this destruction. Oedipus had many opportunities that could prove oracle’s prophecy wrong but his own actions became the reason behind his downfall. On his way to Thebes, he messed up with a stranger and got angry. So he killed him because of his rage. At that time, If he somehow managed to control himself and his anger then he could never have killed his own father. 

Moreover, when Teiresias, chorus, and Jocasta were begging him to stop his search for truth, he didn’t stop and as a result, he came to know the bitter truth that destroyed his life. If he stopped at that time and didn’t try to explore his past then he would never have led himself to destruction. 

Pity and Fear

As Oedipus Rex is a tragedy, the elements of pity and fear are also found in it.  The readers feel fear as the play proceeds towards the solution of the mystery. The characters of the play also get terrified as the things start to get clear.  Oedipus finds that he is the real culprit and he blinds himself by hurting his eyes with brooches and streams of blood start flowing down his face. The readers also feel pity for Oedipus because he didn’t do anything intentionally and his fate is the real cause of his tragic end.

Plague and Health

At the start of the play, the city of Thebes is shown suffering from a terrible plague that makes everyone tensed and terrified. The people of the city became sick and many died. Their fields and women become barren. The people of Thebes believe that the plague is a result of religious pollution because of which God Apollo is angry and has cursed them so they come to the king to request him to save their lives.

Self-Discovery and memories of the past

Oedipus keeps on exploring his past.  Although everyone warns him yet he doesn’t stop. Forgetting the past is a good thing sometimes but Oedipus ruins his own life because of his quest for who he really is and what was his past.  The road that he adopts towards self-discovery, in reality, leads him towards his downfall. 

It is a Greek term that means “Excessive pride”. It is one of the main themes of this play and it also proves to be the Hamartia or tragic flaw of Oedipus Rex. He shows pride at different points. At the beginning of the play, he addresses the people saying that he is Oedipus and he has solved the famous riddle.  In his pride, he disrespects Teiresias and calls him blind. His excessive pride becomes the reason behind his tragic downfall.

Power corrupts men and the character of Oedipus is the true example of it. He becomes mad in his power. He uses it over Teiresias and disrespects him by accusing him of the king’s murder. He also gives the order to execute Creon because he thinks he is a traitor.  He forces both of the shepherds to tell him the truth though they don’t want to speak.

Search for truth

Oedipus promises people to find out the truth and punish the culprit so he starts his search. Many people request him to stop his search but he doesn’t listen to them. Teiresias begs him not to ask him about the truth because it will only bring pain to everyone. He forces him to speak. Later when things start to become clear, Jocasta also requests Oedipus to stop finding the truth but he doesn’t listen to her either. Then he finds out the bitter truth and ends up punishing himself. 

Guilt and Shame

As the truth comes in front of everyone that Oedipus is the person who killed his father and married his own mother, Oedipus and Jocasta fill with shame. Jocasta hangs herself because of her guilt to marry her own son and Oedipus hurts his eyes and becomes blind to punish himself for committing the shameless sin. 

It is true that ignorance is a blessing. When Oedipus was unaware of reality, everything was perfect and he was living happily but when he started his quest for truth, he got destroyed. Many people try to stop his search for truth because they know it will only bring destruction but he doesn’t listen to them and the truth destroys his life. The search for truth is a good thing but sometimes staying ignorant towards some matters is the real sensibleness. 

It is also an important theme. As the play starts, the people of Thebes request Oedipus to save them from the plague.  Creon finds out that the only way to get rid of the plague is to bring justice to king Laius by punishing his murderer. Oedipus promises to find and punish him. Later when the truth reveals, Oedipus acts upon his words and he punishes himself. Though he can escape the punishment because he is the king yet he decides to bring justice and he says that the banishment is the only punishment for the criminal so he leaves the city of Thebes.

Blind faith

The theme of blind faith is also found throughout this play as the people strongly believe in the prophets and their prophecies. King Laius and Jocasta left their son to die on a hillside because of a prophecy that their son will kill his father and marry his mother. If they didn’t believe that prophecy and kept their son in front of them then maybe things would have been different. Moreover, listening to the same prophecy, Oedipus also left Corinth. If he didn’t trust the prophecy and kept living in Corinth then maybe he could never be able to kill his real father and marry his mother.

Furthermore, Oedipus sends Creon to Delphi to talk to an oracle about the plague. Later they call Teiresias, the blind prophet, to solve the mystery. At the end, after the truth gets revealed, Oedipus requests Creon to let him leave the city but Creon suggests that they should meet the oracle first. It clearly shows the trust and the faith of the people on oracles and prophets.

Oedipus Rex Characters Analysis

Oedipus is the hero of this tragedy. He was born in the house of king Laius and Queen Jocasta of Thebes.  An oracle tells king Laius about his child’s fate and threatens him that the child will kill him in the future. The king binds the feet of the child together and asks Jocasta to kill him. Jocasta gives her child to a servant to leave him on a hillside to die. A shepherd takes the child from there to Corinth. He names the child as “Oedipus” which means “swollen feet” because his feet got swollen as they were bound together by a pin. The shepherd gives the child to king Polybus and queen Merope of Corinth and there Oedipus grows up as their child.

Oedipus is a short-tempered and a rash decision-maker from the beginning.  In Corinth, someone tells him that he is not the real son of king Polybus. He asks his parents about it but they refuse to accept it. Then he goes to an oracle and gets to know about his fate. The oracle tells him that it is his fate that he will kill his father and marry his mother. He doesn’t consult his parents about it and makes a decision to leave Corinth to escape his fate which never proves helpful. 

On his way to Thebes, he meets a stranger and gets messed up with him. After some arguments between them, Oedipus becomes really angry and in anger  he kills that stranger who actually is his real father. When he becomes the king of Thebes, he again proves himself a rash decision-maker. When Teiresias tells him about the prophecy, he disrespects him by calling blind and without thinking anything, he jumps on a decision that Creon is a traitor and he has sent Teiresias to speak against him. So he orders to execute Creon.

Moreover, Oedipus’ pride or hubris also becomes the cause of his tragic downfall. No doubt he solved the riddle of Sphinx and saved many lives but after this, he brags about his achievement every time, saying that he is the king who solved the famous riddle and he will also solve the problem of plague. His pride is also shown when he uses his power to force Teiresias and shepherd to tell the truth and also when he gives the order to execute Creon. 

Apart from all his tragic flaws, he proves himself as a great king and the real hero of this play. Firstly he saves Thebes from the sphinx due to his intelligence. When the plague strikes the city, he tells people that he is more worried than all of them and he assures them that he will end this plague. As Creon tells him that the plague is caused because of a person who murdered King Laius and polluted this city, he announces that he will find the criminal and punish him. 

When he comes to know about the truth, he could have avoided it because of his power but he fulfils his promise and decides to punish himself as he announced. Jocasta hangs herself and seeing her hanged, Oedipus couldn’t bear it and he hurts himself by hitting his eyes with brooches. He considers himself a sinful person who brought plague in the city and polluted it so he never thought that death could bring justice to what he did so he blinds himself for the rest of his life and leaves.

Oedipus was a powerful person once. He ruled Thebes as a king but at the end of the play, he totally becomes a changed person. He leaves the city of Thebes as a blind and helpless beggar who has lost everything in his life. He finds himself a puppet in the hands of gods and prophets and he has lost everything because of his fate. However, by taking the right decision and bringing justice to king Laius’ murderer, he wins the sympathy of all the people. Though he loses everything in his life, yet he remains the real hero from beginning till the end.  

Jocasta is the Queen of Thebes. She got married to King Laius. Terrified by a prophecy, she let her son die on a hillside, proving herself as a heartless mother. She enjoys a good fortune and remains the queen throughout the play. After king Lauis’ death, she gets married to Oedipus and becomes the queen again but in reality, she is the mother of Oedipus and has four kids with him. 

She is a caring sister and wife. When Oedipus orders to execute Creon, she begs him to let his brother go. Moreover, when she observes that Oedipus is worried, she investigates what troubles him. She also comforts him by suggesting him not to trust prophets and their prophecies. She also tells Oedipus that he is not the murderer of king Laius because he was killed by some robbers and a shepherd is a witness of it. 

She prays for the safety of her husband and also tells him not to worry because it makes her and other people tense to see their king in panic. When she receives the news of king Polybus’ death, she becomes really happy and tells Oedipus that it is another proof that the prophecy of the oracle is not true. Later when things start becoming clear, she fears and begs Oedipus to stop his quest for truth. She doesn’t want to face a terrible truth and tries to stop him but he didn’t agree. She commits suicide at the end because she can’t live with a terrible truth of her life that she married her own son.

He is the brother of queen Jocasta. He remains in the play till the end. He is the true follower of God Apollo. At the beginning of the play, Oedipus sends him to an oracle at Delphi to ask him the solution of the plague. As he returns, he seems reluctant to tell what the oracle said in front of all the people but the king forces him to speak. He tells everyone that he has come with a solution to end the plague. He tells that the city of Thebes is polluted by a person who is the murderer of their former king, Laius. He tells them that to end the plague, it is necessary to find the murderer and bring justice to king Laius.

Creon remains a loyal friend to Oedipus. He even forgives him when he accuses him of treason and gives the order to execute him.  He claims that he never thought of turning against Oedipus. In every decision about the city of Thebes, he shares an equal part as Oedipus and Jocasta. At the end of the play, when Oedipus requests him to let him leave the city, he tells him that they should go to the oracle first but Oedipus doesn’t agree. Creon brings the daughters of Oedipus to meet their father for the last time according to his will and he also promises Oedipus to take care of them after him. Creon becomes the ruler of Thebes after king Oedipus. 

He is the blind prophet in the city of Thebes. When the plague strikes the city, king Oedipus calls him to help them in finding the murderer of king Laius. As he arrives, he fears to speak anything and keeps on telling Oedipus not to force him to speak the truth because the truth will only bring pain and nothing else.  Oedipus accuses him of killing king Laius because he tries to conceal the truth. Oedipus threatens him and forces him to speak. 

Teiresias tells Oedipus that he is the killer of king Laius but Oedipus doesn’t trust him and considers it nonsense. Oedipus also disrespects him and calls him blind. He accuses him of being the partner of Creon, whom Oedipus considered as a traitor, who conspired against him and has paid Teiresias to speak the nonsense. He orders him to leave the palace.

Teiresias then leaves the palace saying his last riddle. He tells that the murderer is in front of them, he is the killer of his father and the husband of his mother, he is the brother of his own children and the son of his own wife, a man who came seeing but will leave this world in blindness. His prophecy proves to be true at the end of the novel when the truth gets revealed in front of everyone and Oedipus blinds himself. 

A chorus is a group of singers that includes the elder citizens of Thebes. As the play starts, they come to Oedipus along with a priest to request the king to save their city from the plague. They become satisfied as the king assures them that he will save them from the trouble. The chorus plays an important role in the play. They sing choral odes after every scene that helps to connect different scenes of the play. Moreover, their choral odes add to the beauty of the play and entertain the readers. 

The chorus also prays to different gods to save their city from the plague. They forbid the king to take any strict decision against Creon and stop him from executing Creon. When the truth starts revealing, they also try to stop the king to stop his search for truth because they also start feeling that something wrong is going to happen. In the end, they lament on the king’s fate and the play ends when the Chorus says, “Count no man happy till he dies, free of pain at last”.

Antigone and Ismene

They are the young daughters of Oedipus and Jocasta and hence also the sisters of Oedipus. They only appear at the end of the play when Oedipus wishes to see his daughters for one last time before his banishment. Creon brings them to say goodbye to their father for the last time.

The Messenger from Corinth

He comes from Corinth to deliver the news of King Polybus’ death and he also tells Oedipus that the people of Corinth now want him to be their king. Terrified of the prophecy, Oedipus decides not to go back to Corinth until her mother Merope is alive. The messenger tells him that he needs not to worry about this and he can come back at any time without any fear because Queen Merope is not her real mother and King Laius was not his real father. 

Oedipus gets shocked on hearing this news and asks him who told him about this. He tells Oedipus that years ago someone from Thebes gave him a child as a gift and he presented it to the king and queen of Corinth as they had no children of their own. Oedipus further asks him about the person who gave him the child. He tells Oedipus that he was one of Laius’ servants. He also helped Oedipus in recognizing the servant. 

The Herdsman

The herdsman is the person who gave the child of king Laius and queen Jocasta to the messenger of Corinth on their orders. He is also the witness of king Laius’ death. Initially, he lied to everyone that king Laius was murdered by some robbers but later when king Oedipus calls him in his palace and forces him to speak the truth, he tells that he witnessed the killer of King Laius and he is Oedipus. 

The priest comes to the king Oedipus, at the beginning of the play, along with the chorus to request Oedipus to save them from the plague. The priest and his followers also make many sacrifices to the gods to lift the plague from their city.

The Second Messenger

At the end of the play, a servant of Oedipus comes to him. He delivers the news of Jocasta’s death. He tells Oedipus and the chorus that queen Jocasta has hanged herself.

Oedipus Rex Literary Analysis

“Oedipus Rex” is a classical work in which Sophocles has skillfully shown a straightforward interpretation of a Greek myth. Throughout the play, the use of dramatic irony makes this play a great success and masterpiece. The play discusses how fate plays its part in the life of the characters. The main character tries hard to escape his fate but in his effort to run away from it, he actually comes nearer to what gods have decided for him and ends up doing what already was prophecized.

The play also throws light on how the protagonist of the play remains the true hero at the end despite his sinful deeds. The play also allows the readers to think that apart from fate, sometimes it is also the will or any action of the person that becomes the cause of his downfall.

In short, it is a successful play to tell the readers that tragedies are not only part of common people’s life but they do exist in the life of kings and queens too.

Title of the play

The title of the play “Oedipus Rex” or “Oedipus the King” is self-explanatory. Oedipus is the protagonist of this play and as he is the king so the title is in the name of the hero. Moreover, the word “Oedipus” means “swollen feet”. As the feet of Oedipus was swollen because his father bound them together by a pin that is why the shepherd named him “Oedipus”.

Setting of the Play

The entire play “Oedipus Rex” is set in the ancient city of Thebes. More precisely speaking, it is set in front of the king’s palace. As the unity of place is one of the main features of Greek tragedies so, the setting doesn’t change in this play. In the beginning, the city is presented in the grip of severe crisis.  Thebes is transformed into a barren land due to a deadly plague.

This play was written in the 5th century also known as “The Golden Age of Ancient Greece”. At that time Greece was at its intellectual and political heights so new literary trends and forms were created. The tragedy is one of the products of that time and “Oedipus Rex” is the best example of it.

Ending of the Play

The end of the play is justified. Oedipus proves himself as a man of action. He blinds himself because whatever he did even unintentionally, he considers it a shameful act and terrible sin so his guilt forces him to hurt himself. Killing his father and marrying his mother was not in his hands and it happened because of the will of gods but blinding himself is totally in his hands and he decides to punish himself like this.

He leaves the city as he himself announced banishment as a punishment for the criminal. Now he wins the hearts of people again and becomes the real hero at the end. Creon treats him gently forgetting about what he did to him and takes the charge of Thebes afterwards.

Writing style

Oedipus Rex is a Greek tragedy and is very old so it translated into English. Some translations are in the simplified language but some follow its original poetic form. Some of them are in the prose form while some are the combo of both poetic and prose form. Especially the choral odes are written in the metrical form and written to be sung.

As “Oedipus Rex” is a tragedy so its tone is also tragic. Apart from that, the tone is also sympathetic and everyone feels sympathy for Oedipus. At some points in the play, the ironic and foreboding tone is also used. The foreboding tone in the play gives the readers a sense of evil to come.

Plot Analysis

Initial situation  .

Oedipus knows that Thebes is in crisis so he sends Creon to get the solution to this problem. He assures people to save them from the deadly plague that struck their city.

Conflict   

Oedipus gets worried when no one tells him the truth about Laius’ murder. He struggles to call Teiresias, the messenger and the shepherd to know about the reality. Everyone stops him from knowing the truth but he is desperate to know about his past and its link with the murder of king Laius.

Complication

Oedipus starts realizing that he has some link with the murder of Laius. The more he learns about the truth, the more he shows interest to solve this mystery. As he comes close to the truth, he hurts no one but himself in the entire process.

Oedipus realizes that he is the man who killed his father and married his mother. He becomes scared of the terrible sin that he committed unknowingly. This part of the play is the emotional and psychological climax of it.

Oedipus enters his bedroom and finds Jocasta hanging. Jocasta also realizes the terrible sin that they committed and so she commits suicide. This situation puts all the readers in the suspense because no one knows whether Oedipus will also commit suicide and kill himself or not.  As the situation through which Oedipus goes is tough and anyone can be expected to commit suicide in such condition.

Oedipus blinds himself by gouging his eyes out with the brooches that he took out from Jocasta’s dress. He accepts his crime and begs everyone to get him exiled from Thebes as he himself suggested that banishment is the only punishment for the murderer. 

Oedipus leaves the city of Thebes to save it from the curse of plague as he promised and Creon takes charge of the city. 

The three unities in Oedipus Rex

In Greek classical tragedies, three organizing traits were followed which were termed as the three unities. According to Aristotle, the ancient Greek philosopher, these three unities are Unity of action, Unity of place and Unity of time. In Oedipus Rex, Sophocles has followed the three unities that is why it is taken as one of the best examples of ancient Greek tragedies.

Unity of Action

The whole play focuses on the single action that is the investigation of king Laius’ murderer.  The play has no sub-plots. Moreover, Sophocles didn’t introduce the multiple characters in the play. The drama unfolds the mystery of king Laius’ murderer and is characterized by the tragic downfall of the hero.

Unity of Place

“Oedipus Rex” also follows the unity of action as the whole play occurs at a single place. The play is restricted to a single location that is in front of the king’s palace in the city of Thebes.

Unity of Time

The unity of time is also present in this play as the fall of the hero occurs in the duration of a single day. The blind prophet, Teiresias, also warns Oedipus about it saying, “This day will bring your birth and your destruction”.

Three Act plot analysis

The whole play can be divided into three main acts:

Oedipus knows that the city is cursed so he sends Creon to an oracle to find out the solution. Creon tells that the only solution to lift the plague is to find the murderer of King Laius and punish him. Oedipus promises people to find the culprit and save them from trouble.

Oedipus investigates Jocasta, Teiresias, the messenger and the shepherd to know about King Laius’ murderer. Slowly he starts solving the mystery.

Jocasta and Oedipus realize that they have committed a terrible sin so they punish themselves. Jocasta kills herself by committing suicide while Oedipus blinds himself and is exiled from the city.

Analysis of the Literary Devices used in Oedipus Rex

Dramatic irony.

Several examples of the dramatic irony are present in “Oedipus Rex”. Most of the time, the situation is understood by the readers but not by the characters. The dramatic irony plays an important role to show the character of Oedipus as arrogant and blind towards the truth. The audience is expected to guess Oedipus’ history long before he himself gets to know about it. 

One example of the dramatic irony is that throughout the play Oedipus struggles to find the murderer of King Laius but in reality, he himself murdered his father and then he searches for the murderer here and there. The irony here is that he searches for himself. 

Moreover, when Oedipus forces Teiresias to tell the truth, he tells him that Oedipus himself is the murderer of king Laius. On hearing this, Oedipus becomes mad and he calls Teiresias blind. Though Teiresias is blind yet he can see the truth clearly. On the other hand, though Oedipus is having eyes yet he is blind towards the truth.

The following symbols are used in the play:

The scars on Oedipus’ feet

When Oedipus was three days old, an oracle told his father, King Laius, that the child will kill his father in the future and then he will marry his mother.  King Laius bound his feet by a pin due to which they got swollen and later some scars were left on them. The scars on his feet are symbolic. They symbolize that Oedipus was marked for all the sufferings right from the time of his birth. These scars are also ironic. Although the name of Oedipus clearly points towards his feet, still he fails to discover his true identity. 

The Crossroads

Oedipus killed a stranger at a place where three roads met. Unknowingly he killed his father. Sophocles made the point of murder unique. Oedipus’ fate followed him. The three roads actually symbolize the choices that a person has while making any decision. In the play, the three roads symbolize the choice or the path that Oedipus could have taken instead of killing a man just because of his short temperament. The three roads also symbolize the present, past and future. It is said that the Greek Goddess of the crossroads had 3 heads. One head could see the past, one the present and one the future.  

Eyes, Vision and Blindness

The eyes and the vision symbolize the knowledge while the blindness symbolizes ignorance but in the play, Teiresias is blind but he can see everything clearly. He has the knowledge and he foresees the future. On the other hand, Oedipus has vision but he still is unable to see anything. He is blind towards the truth and he calls Teiresias blind. Teiresias then replies, “So, you mock my blindness? Let me tell you this, with your precious eyes, you’re blind to the corruption of your life….”

More From Sophocles

Oedipus Rex

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At the start of the play, the city of Thebes is suffering terribly. Citizens are dying from plague, crops fail, women are dying in childbirth and their babies are stillborn. A group of priests comes to the royal palace to ask for help from Oedipus , their king who once saved them from the tyranny of the terrible Sphinx. Oedipus has already sent his brother-in-law, Creon , to the oracle of the god Apollo to find out what can be done. (A little background: before Oedipus arrived in Thebes, the previous king, Laius, was murdered under mysterious circumstances and the murderer was never found. When Oedipus arrived in Thebes and saved the city, he was made king and married the widowed queen, Jocasta , sister of Creon.) Now Creon returns with the oracle's news: for the plague to be lifted from the city, the murderer of Laius must be discovered and punished. The oracle claims that the murderer is still living in Thebes.

Oedipus curses the unknown murderer and swears he will find and punish him. He orders the people of Thebes, under punishment of exile, to give any information they have about the death of Laius. Oedipus sends for Tiresias , the blind prophet, to help with the investigation. Tiresias comes, but refuses to tell Oedipus what he has seen in his prophetic visions. Oedipus accuses Tiresias of playing a part in Laius's death. Tiresias grows angry and says that Oedipus is the cause of the plague—he is the murderer of Laius. As the argument escalates, Oedipus accuses Tiresias of plotting with Creon to overthrow him, while Tiresias hints at other terrible things that Oedipus has done.

Convinced that Creon is plotting to overthrow him, Oedipus declares his intention to banish or execute his brother-in-law. Jocasta and the chorus believe Creon is innocent and beg Oedipus to let Creon go. He relents, reluctantly, still convinced of Creon's guilt. Jocasta tells Oedipus not to put any stock in what prophets and seers say. As an example, she tells him the prophecy she once received—that Laius, her first husband, would be killed by their own son. And yet, Laius was killed by strangers, and her own infant son was left to die in the mountains. But her description of where Laius was killed—a triple-crossroad —worries Oedipus. It's the same place where Oedipus once fought with several people and killed them, one of whom fit the description of Laius. He asks that the surviving eyewitness to Laius's murder be brought to him. He tells Jocasta that oracles have played a big part in his life as well—he received a prophecy that he would kill his father and sleep with his mother, which is why he left Corinth, the city he was raised in, and never returned.

An old messenger arrives from Corinth with the news that Oedipus's father, King Polybus, has died of old age. This encourages Oedipus. It seems his prophecy might not come true, but he remains worried because his mother is still alive. The messenger tells him not to worry—the king and queen of Corinth were not his real parents. The messenger himself brought Oedipus as a baby to the royal family as a gift after a shepherd found the boy in the mountains and gave him to the messenger. The shepherd was the same man Oedipus has already sent for—the eyewitness to Laius's murder. Jocasta begs Oedipus to abandon his search for his origins, but Oedipus insists he must know the story of his birth. Jocasta cries out in agony and leaves the stage. The shepherd arrives but doesn't want to tell what he knows. Only under threat of death does he reveal that he disobeyed the order to kill the infant son of Laius and Jocasta, and instead gave that baby to the messenger. That baby was Oedipus, who in fact killed his father Laius and married his mother. Oedipus realizes that he has fulfilled his awful prophecy. Queen Jocasta kills herself and Oedipus, in a fit of grief, gouges out his own eyes. Blind and grief-stricken, Oedipus bemoans his fate. Creon, after consulting an oracle, grants Oedipus's request and banishes him from Thebes.

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Sight and Blindness in Oedipus Rex

In literature, blindness symbolizes the lack of knowledge and insight. This meaning is also portrayed in Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex. The tragedy showcases three forms of blindness: intellectual blindness, which is the rejection of knowledge; physical blindness, which is the absence of sight; and metaphorical blindness, which represents the symbolism or significance of blindness for each affected character. Overall, blindness is detrimental in all its forms.

In Oedipus Rex, blindness creates a division between those who are knowledgeable and are not punished, and the tragic figures who cannot or refuse to see and suffer the consequences. The play uses physical blindness to convey a contrasting meaning. Generally, physical blindness symbolizes incapacity or disadvantage, evoking pity for those afflicted. However, in this instance, physical blindness becomes an advantage. It removes the distractions of the external world, enabling the characters to gain insight and concentrate on what they receive from the gods.

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In Oedipus Rex, blindness functions as a form of punishment for defying the gods. Additionally, the physically blind characters in the play are isolated from the community, mirroring real-life experiences. The seer and Oedipus exemplify physical blindness in the play. The seer, chosen by Apollo to convey his message to humanity, gains insight through his physical blindness as he is already aware of everything thanks to Apollo’s revelations.

Although Teiresias may be blind, he possesses great knowledge and the ability to perceive everything. In the play, Choragus refers to him as the holy prophet in whom truth dwells uniquely among all men (Scene 1, line 82). Oedipus, seeking Teiresias’ assistance, describes him as a seer who comprehends both the teachings and the unspoken mysteries of heaven and earth, despite his blindness (Scene 1, line 84). This emphasizes that Oedipus and his people recognize the seer’s divine connection and unlimited understanding despite his physical disability.

In the case of Oedipus, his neglect of the truth resulted in blindness as a punishment. Oedipus eventually realized his ignorance and his self-mutilation serves as a way to memorialize his past intellectual state. However, Oedipus also believes that blindness will benefit him in the afterlife. Oedipus asserts, “This punishment that I have imposed upon myself is fair. If I had sight, I don’t know how I could bear to look at my father or mother when I arrive at the realm of Death” (Scene 4, line 139).

In this statement, Oedipus acknowledges that his blindness is a self-imposed punishment and also serves as a shield against the pain of confronting his shamed parents. Similarly, numerous characters in the play suffer from intellectual blindness, denying the truth and resisting its acceptance. This condition is a prevalent human reaction in society, allowing individuals to deceive themselves into believing that disturbing truths are not as they appear.

Despite the fact that having this flaw can make a character more relatable to us, it does not excuse their actions or make them praiseworthy. One character who suffers from intellectual blindness is Jokaste, Oedipus’ mother. Even after realizing that she has committed incest with her own son, the same son that she and her husband had tried to abandon years ago, she still refuses to accept the truth that is right in front of her. “No,” Jokaste declares, “From now on, I will not give any consideration to oracles” (Scene 2, line 330). This quote demonstrates her submission to intellectual blindness and her refusal to heed the warning given by Apollo.

Here Jokaste dares to denounce the gods, a prime example of human emotion. Denying something doesn’t make it go away. In her refusal and anger, she begs Oedipus to stop questioning, as she already knows the answer. “For God’s love let us have no more questioning! Is your life nothing to you? My own is pain enough for me to bear.” (Scene 3, line 138), Jokaste says, expressing her desperation. Eventually, she cowardly commits suicide instead of continuing to deny her sin.

Teiresias, the embodiment of intellectual sight, possesses extensive knowledge about Oedipus’ situation. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that obtaining this knowledge in Teiresias’ case is challenging due to the belief that “ignorance is bliss”. It is simpler to overlook life’s harsh realities rather than confront them and find ways to cope with them. Teiresias goes as far as refusing to communicate his knowledge to Oedipus, declaring, “You are all ignorant. No: I will not disclose what I know. Now it brings me sorrow…” (Scene 1, line 112).

Even for a seer, the truth can be challenging. Teiresias acknowledges this when he says, “How dreadful knowledge of truth can be when there is no help in truth! I knew this well but did not act on it; else I should not have come” (Scene 1, line 101). He expresses his sorrow and highlights the fact that with power comes responsibility. Despite the difficulty, it is his duty to speak the truth. Similarly, like Jokaste, Oedipus initially refuses to accept his fate. The seer openly tells Oedipus, “But I say you, with both eyes, are blind: you cannot see the wretchedness of your life…” (Scene 1, line 196), pointing out his own blindness to Oedipus.

Despite Teiresias’ accusations, Oedipus tries to shift the blame onto Kreon, his brother-in-law, as a defense. Throughout the story, Oedipus elicits pity due to his helplessness. One possible reason for this sympathy towards Oedipus rather than his mother is his unwavering determination to uncover the truth, no matter how terrifying it may be. Ultimately, he continues on his quest for answers and asks, “Tell me who made these fine discoveries? Kreon?” (Scene 1, line 161). This quote reveals Oedipus’ tendency to hastily jump to conclusions instead of taking a step back to reflect on his situation and gain a broader perspective in order to analyze it more effectively.

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