Oracles in Oedipus Rex at Term Paper

Total Length: 610 words ( 2 double-spaced pages)

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Their prophecies completely shape the life of Oedipus. It was the oracle who informed Oedipus that he will kill his father and marry his mother. This prophecy led him to abandon Corinth for fear of killing his father and marrying his mother. When he left Corinth he came across a man who he did not know was Laius and killed him. He married his wife Jocasta and towards the end of the play finds out that the prophecy of the oracle did come true. Laius and Jocasta were his biological parents. Laius was killed by his son, Oedipus and according to the prophecy of the oracle; Oedipus marries his mother, Jocasta. Regardless of whatever actions either of the parties took, fate could not be escaped. The oracles warned them about the future and they took steps then led them to the fulfillment of the prophecy. Both Oedipus and Jocasta were expressing their happiness that the prophecies did not come to pass and now to their shocked state of mind they came to realize that the prophecies did after all come to be true.

The use of the oracles in the play is seen as prevention from any mishaps.
They are consulted to know if any misfortune is to fall on a person so that precautionary steps can be taken. Laius and his wife acted upon what the oracle warned them about. They took their precautionary step and so did Oedipus. The use was simply for man to dodge fate. However, little did the people know that the precautionary steps that they are taking, is only pushing them in the direction which fate has already decided. A remarkable dramatic irony is seen with the roles of the oracles and how man tries to dodge faith......

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