Oedipus Is One of the Most Famous Term Paper

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Oedipus is one of the most famous names in Greek mythology. His name has become both a psychological complex as well as a familiar joke. His story has come to be a synonym as well for the capriciousness of fate. But a truer picture of the character of Oedipus suggests that, rather than being an unwitting victim, Oedipus a clear hand in his own demise. Despite its reputation, Sophocles' play "Oedipus the King" is a tragedy of character rather than of an innocent condemned by fate. Oedipus' tragic flaw his confidence and his arrogance that he understands what is happening to himself and his city. Of course, Oedipus really understands nothing.

The play begins by Oedipus, king of Thebes talking to his "children" or citizens, bemoaning the fact that Thebes is now under a plague. (Lines 1-5, source from Literature and Ourselves) The priest tells Oedipus, "Now we pray to you. You cannot equal the gods, / your children know that, bending at your altar, / But we do rate you first of men." (Lines 38-40) It is clear that Oedipus has become accustomed, within the context of his city, to being treated, if not as a god, then in an extremely reverential fashion as the city's leader. This reverence contributes to his arrogance. Oedipus responds to the priest and his "children's" entreaties in a high-handed fashion, cursing the murder.

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(Line 280) Like a god, Oedipus puts his curse upon the source of the plague, dispensing justice in a mighty fashion.

The 'back story' the play provides to the opening image is also indicative of Oedipus' arrogance as well. Oedipus' first dialogue with his brother-in-law reveals that the plague has its roots in the murder of the original King of Thebes, Laius. Oedipus reacts with horror to this news. But as the prophet Tiresias later says, "So, / you mock my blindness? Let me tell you this. / You with your previous eyes, you're blind to the corruption of your life, / to the house you live in, those you live with -- who are your parents" (Lines 468-470)

It is revealed that when Oedipus became a man he consulted the oracle of Apollo, as was common when an individual came of age in ancient Greece. When the oracle told him his destiny, that he would grow up to murder his father and marry his mother, Oedipus was horrified. "Lonely and distraught," Oedipus left the people he thought to be his true parents, the Encarta Online Encyclopedia says in its retelling of the tale. ("Oedipus" Encarta Encyclopedia) But one could also more accurately state that….....

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