There is no doubt that Oedipus killed his father, but does that mean that he is guilty of the crime of murder? The tragedy Oedipus Rex by Sophocles tells the riveting tale of King Oedipus of Thebes who discovered how little of his life he can control. A devastating plague comes to in Thebes leadings to an investigation into the murder of the previous King, Laϊos. The investigation reveals that Oedipus killed Laϊos without he knowledge that who he killed was Laϊos, his father. By doing so Oedipus fulfills the prophecy that says he would murder his father, Laϊos. The same prophecy that Oedipus has morally run from his whole life. Although Oedipus killed Laϊos, Oedipus is innocent of the crime of killing his father because his intentions stayed
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Once the shepherd reveals that Oedipus has done the deed of killing his father, a second messenger comes bearing the news that Iocaste had committed suicide out of grief. He relates how Oedipus took Iocaste’s brooches, “and raised them, and/plunged them down/Straight into his own eyeballs, … He struck at his eyes ‒ not once, but many times;” (69) Melancholy Oedipus believes that he should be punished for his sins and does so partly when he “struck at his eyes” blinding himself. Oedipus clearly feels that merely blinding helfeld is not enough for he struck, “not once, but many times.” Oedipus, once again, demonstrates high morals by understanding that he has done wrong and trying to make up for it by blinding himself. Later, Creon comes and proclaims that Oedipus “is calling for someone to lead him to the gates … And then he will leave Thebes/Self-exiled.” (70) By being “self-exiled” Oedipus not only shows that he believes that he should pay for his peccancy, but vanquishes Thebes from the ravaging plague he brought, which is virtuous. Oedipus truly believes that he must be penalized for the crimes he never meant to commit. “This punishment/That I have laid upon myself is just.” (73) Despite the fact Oedipus never meant to kill his father, he still feels “this punishment … is just”. Oedipus’ intentions are admirable in condemning himself to punishment for doing something he never meant, nor
Once the shepherd reveals that Oedipus has done the deed of killing his father, a second messenger comes bearing the news that Iocaste had committed suicide out of grief. He relates how Oedipus took Iocaste’s brooches, “and raised them, and/plunged them down/Straight into his own eyeballs, … He struck at his eyes ‒ not once, but many times;” (69) Melancholy Oedipus believes that he should be punished for his sins and does so partly when he “struck at his eyes” blinding himself. Oedipus clearly feels that merely blinding helfeld is not enough for he struck, “not once, but many times.” Oedipus, once again, demonstrates high morals by understanding that he has done wrong and trying to make up for it by blinding himself. Later, Creon comes and proclaims that Oedipus “is calling for someone to lead him to the gates … And then he will leave Thebes/Self-exiled.” (70) By being “self-exiled” Oedipus not only shows that he believes that he should pay for his peccancy, but vanquishes Thebes from the ravaging plague he brought, which is virtuous. Oedipus truly believes that he must be penalized for the crimes he never meant to commit. “This punishment/That I have laid upon myself is just.” (73) Despite the fact Oedipus never meant to kill his father, he still feels “this punishment … is just”. Oedipus’ intentions are admirable in condemning himself to punishment for doing something he never meant, nor