Damned In Sophocles 'Oedipus The King'

In Oedipus Rex, Oedipus saved Thebes and became king, but he was still ruined. One should learn from Oedipus and not presume you've won until die happy. The theme from this quote is “if you try to defy the gods and trick your fate by being too confident, karma and the gods will come to tear you down.” The theme is evident in both Antigone, and Oedipus Rex. Oedipus enters Oedipus Rex once again to try to save Thebes. He says, “And therefore I have come myself to hear you- I, Oedipus who bear the famous name” (4). Oedipus is haughty here, claiming that he, the most important, can save Thebes. He is only saving Thebes from himself though since he was the killer of Laios, which placed the curse on Thebes. Since he is too arrogant and it is his …show more content…
He assumes himself the gods' favorite, and as high, or higher than them. Oedipus disobeys the most basic law of listening to the gods, and as a result gets punished throughout his search and is punished by learning of his sins. At the end after he has learned of his sins, Oedipus cries, “Damned in the blood he shed with his own hand” (64). Oedipus had tried to run from his fate and instead ran right into it, killing King Laios. He attempted to cheat fate, and was punished for it, losing his father, mother/wife, eyesight, throne, and dignity. Once he realizes this he inquires, “What has god done to me?” because he realizes that god has ruined him because of his pride and him trying to escape fate (71). Finally, at the very end of all of Oedipus's woes, he blinds himself and says, “How could I bear to see when all my sight was horror everywhere?” (72). He thinks he doesn't deserve to see now that he's realized his horrible fate and lost his parents/spouse. He will not die having a life without pain. Oedipus was arrogant enough to think he could defy the gods' prophecy and so, in turn, they shot him down to lose everything he once had. This theme is evident in Antigone as