Chaos In Oedipus The King

Khaos translates into chaos and means “gaping void” in Greek. It describes confusion and a lack of organization and order. Order and chaos are key points in creating tension and suspense in any form of entertainment. The Greeks are widely known for creating some of the best plots and themes involving the conflict of chaos and in their plays. Oedipus Rex written by Sophocles is a prime example of the Greeks’ fondness of chaos. The character Teiresias causes the most chaos with the least effort. Teiresias asks the first dramatic question of the play. The simple question “Who are your father and mother?” (402), is directed at Oedipus, it brings doubt and suspicion to the minds of both the choragus and the audience. Thus, it sparks chaos and that chaos builds until the end of the play. It also leads to hamartia of knowledge, as the answer to the question later becomes increasingly obvious, however …show more content…
He realizes that the prophecies are true: that he slept with his mother and murdered his father. He sees no better way but to take justice into his own hands. Oedipus punishes himself, then carries out his previous edict and leaves Thebes. Order is never truly restored, Oedipus is punished, however the citizens of Thebes are left shocked and Oedipus still did terrible things. Teiresias is passive throughout most of the play, including the restoration of order. “How dreadful knowledge of the truth can be / When there’s no help in truth! I knew this well, / But made myself forget. I should not have come.” (304-306). Teiresias represents the saying “knowledge is power.” He attempts to keep order by refusing to reveal his knowledge until Oedipus threatens him. Teiresias wants to protect the people; in addition to knowing Oedipus’s sins, he knows what will happen when the people find out. His wisdom is what causes the initial chaos. Clearly Oedipus is not ready to learn what Teiresias knows as chaos