Analysis Of Oedipus Rex - 1024 Words

In the play â€Å"Oedipus Rex† by Sophocles, the story revolves around the central theme of prophecy, and forces the reader to seriously consider the extent to which the protagonist’s doom is dependent upon his own free will or is predetermined by fate. In the story, Oedipus was not a victim of only his actions or only his fate, but his actions and fatal flaws did affect the path that he took to his demise, through his pride/ignorance/temper, his unquenchable thirst for knowledge, and his cowardice. In the beginning of the story, Oedipus demonstrates arguably his most prominent fatal flaws—his short temper, pride, and ignorance—in his interaction with Teiresias, the great, blind seer. Oedipus sends his brother-in-law Creon to Delphi to find†¦show more content†¦Revealing that Laius was killed at a three-way crossroads, Jocasta begs Oedipus â€Å"...do not hunt this out—I beg you, if you have any care for your own life. What I am suffering is enough... O be persuaded by me, I entreat you; do not do this... O Oedipus, god help you! God keep you from the knowledge of who you are!† (1060-1068) Despite Jocasta’s pleas, Oedipus responds â€Å"I will not be persuaded to let be the chance of finding out the whole thing clearly.† He is adamant about finding the truth behind what he has done, not realizing that when he does, it will certainly bring about his prophesied doom. His hunger for information is what drives him to uncover the horrible truth about his past. One can attempt to place all the blame on Oedipus’ decision to search for more information, but it is in human nature to be curious and hungry for information, especially when, like Oedipus, one does not know anything. In addition, Oedipus is stubborn and suspicious. He refuses to honor his wife’s wishes to let it be, and he pays the ultimate price for it. Finally, the reader discovers that Oedipus is not as brave as people thought. Indeed, cowardice is another one of Oedipus’ fatal flaws—when he discovers the truth of his past from the herdsman, he can’t handle it. He cries out, â€Å"O, O,Show MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Oedipus Rex 1705 Words   |  7 PagesIn the play Oedipus Rex, Oedipus unknowingly murders his father and marries his mother. When Oedipus discovers this he is disgusted with himself and decides to go into exile. The Misanthrope is a play about the self-exile of the main character Alceste. Challenged in court, he refuses to take back the criticism of a sonnet written by a powerful nobleman. Alceste and Oedipus are both convicted by their knowledge of the truth. Although, the United States grants asylum to more refuges than any otherRead MoreAn Analysis Of The Of Oedipus And Oedipus Rex Essay1229 Words   |  5 PagesCreon Rex Ambition is a unique trait that allows the human race to either accomplish great things or fall into a web of greed and malice. 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Throughout the play, we begin to see that Oedipus intendsRead MoreAnalysis Of Oedipus Rex 2527 Words   |  11 PagesAri Victor Honors English 28 July, 2015 Summer Reading Oedipus Rex 1. The people of Thebes are suffering from a god attacking their city. 2. The Priest asks Oedipus to save Thebes and the people living there. 3. The Thebans plead Oedipus for his help because 1) they think that Oedipus has help from the gods, and 2) they know that he already saved their town before, so he can save it again. 4. Oedipus has already taken the step of sending Creon to Apollo’s temple to ask how to save the city. 5. TheRead MoreAnalysis : Oedipus Rex 2007 Words   |  9 Pagessupposedly perfect, it only makes sense as to why a man gifted a beaten gold mask has flawlessly proportioned features. Individuals seemingly must have worshipped and blindly obeyed his every whim like the Chorus in Sophocles’, Oedipus Rex, followed their false god, Oedipus. That theory can even furthermore be confirmed, considering this artwork comes after the life of this man occurred, his death not sufficient in ceasing the infatuation many held. Beaten gold, a material that continues to possessRead MoreAnalysis Of Oedipus Rex Bliss 944 Words   |  4 PagesMr. Myles May 3, 2010 Oedipus Rex - Bliss in Ignorance One of the most memorable and meaningful Socratic quotes applies well when in context of Sophocles Theban Trilogy. The unexamined life is not worth living, proclaims Socrates. He could have meant many things by this statement, and in relation to the play, the meaning is found to be even more complex. Indeed, the situation of Oedipus, king of Thebes, the truth of this statement is in question. Would Oedipus have been better offRead MoreCharacter Analysis Of Oedipus Rex943 Words   |  4 Pagessolved as the people of Thebes suffer. In Sophocles’ Greek tragedy, Oedipus Rex, Thebes is being punished by the gods for a crime committed far in the past. The city of Thebes is cursed with a plague until the murderer of Laius is discovered and banished from the land. As Creon and Oedipus work to save Thebes, their different qualities show who is a better fit to be king. Oedipus saved Thebes once from the sphinx; however, Oedipus’ qualities of being arrogant, intense , and stubborn cause him to foilRead MoreOedipus Rex Character Analysis994 Words   |  4 PagesGuilty Woman Within the drama Oedipus Rex, Iocastà ª becomes a central figure of the controversy surrounding the arising destruction of Thebes. The kingdom of Thebes has become the victim of a sickness causing the death of crops, animals and people. The King Oedipus has sent his brother-in-law to the Oracle of Delphi to discover the problem that is plaguing the kingdom. The Oracle reveals that in order for the plague to end, the murder of the previous king must be found and killed. In the hunt ofRead MoreLiterary Analysis : The Kite Runner And Oedipus Rex1292 Words   |  6 PagesThe Kite Runner Oedipus Rex: Literary Analysis Essay Although The Kite Runner and Oedipus Rex differ from the style in which they were written and by the authors who wrote them what they do share are common themes. Both the play and the book share two major subject matters. Guilt is one theme that is seen constantly between Amir dealing with it in The Kite Runner written by Khaled Hosseini and Oedipus and Jocasta’s struggle with it in Oedipus Rex written by Sophocles. Another theme found in bothRead More Analysis of Oedipus Rex Essay890 Words   |  4 Pages Oedipus did not have a fair start in life. His father, Laius, heard prophecy that Oedipus would one day kill his father and sleep with his mother. In order to prevent this, Laius gave Oedipus to a shepherd to be killed. Fortunately, through a string of events, Oedipuss life was saved, and he even went on to become the honored king of Thebes. Despite this feat, Oedipus still managed to make several decisions that ultimately fulfilled the original prophecy told to Laius , and inevitably sealed