Oedipus Rex was a foreigner, son of Merope and Polybus, who solved the Sphinx riddle and is now the prestigious King of Thebes, or is he? Was he flawless and perfect like he thought he was? Or was he actually a delusional and arrogant ruler with a dark and false past. “That which inspires arrogance is ignorance, caused by the heart’s blindness” (Saeed Malik). In the play, Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, Oedipus’s anger, ignorance, and pride led to his eventual downfall.
One of Oedipus’s fatal flaw was anger. This is demonstrated throughout the play, for example, during his encounter Teiresias. “There is: But not for you, you senseless, mad old man!” (Sophocles, Oedipus Rex.1.1.354-356). These harsh words stated by Oedipus showed the rage he felt …show more content…
He showed his hubris when he stated the time he solved the riddle and got rid of the Sphinx. “Oedipus, the simple man, knows nothing- I thought it out for myself, no birds helped me! And this is the man you think you can destroy, that you may be close to Creon when he’s king!” (Sophocles, Oedipus Rex. 1.1.385- 389). He stated his accomplishments to Teiresias who already knew what he has done for Thebes by getting rid of the Sphinx. Oedipus, nevertheless, stated it regardless to satisfy his pride. His blind pride was shown again during his argument with Creon. ”I will tell for you, for none of these men deserves my confidence as you do. It is Creon’s work, his treachery, his plotting against me” (Sophocles, Oedipus Rex. 1.2.656- 659). Creon was trying to prove his innocence by stating that Oedipus has no proof of him conspiring against him. Oedipus was too prideful to admit he was wrong and continued to say Creon was a traitor and teamed up with Teiresias to gain the throne. This caused a dispute which was ultimately resolved with the help of Jocasta and Choragos. This was most present when he thought he could escape fate. “Thus, Apollo never caused that child to kill his father, and it was not Laius’ fate to die at the hands of his son, as he had feared. This is what prophets and prophecies are worth! Have no dread of them. It is God himself who can show
One of Oedipus’s fatal flaw was anger. This is demonstrated throughout the play, for example, during his encounter Teiresias. “There is: But not for you, you senseless, mad old man!” (Sophocles, Oedipus Rex.1.1.354-356). These harsh words stated by Oedipus showed the rage he felt …show more content…
He showed his hubris when he stated the time he solved the riddle and got rid of the Sphinx. “Oedipus, the simple man, knows nothing- I thought it out for myself, no birds helped me! And this is the man you think you can destroy, that you may be close to Creon when he’s king!” (Sophocles, Oedipus Rex. 1.1.385- 389). He stated his accomplishments to Teiresias who already knew what he has done for Thebes by getting rid of the Sphinx. Oedipus, nevertheless, stated it regardless to satisfy his pride. His blind pride was shown again during his argument with Creon. ”I will tell for you, for none of these men deserves my confidence as you do. It is Creon’s work, his treachery, his plotting against me” (Sophocles, Oedipus Rex. 1.2.656- 659). Creon was trying to prove his innocence by stating that Oedipus has no proof of him conspiring against him. Oedipus was too prideful to admit he was wrong and continued to say Creon was a traitor and teamed up with Teiresias to gain the throne. This caused a dispute which was ultimately resolved with the help of Jocasta and Choragos. This was most present when he thought he could escape fate. “Thus, Apollo never caused that child to kill his father, and it was not Laius’ fate to die at the hands of his son, as he had feared. This is what prophets and prophecies are worth! Have no dread of them. It is God himself who can show