Thematic Analysis of Oedipus the King
Introduction
Oedipus the king is a story that uncovers a murder mystery that is politically connected. It creates a tension between individual actions and the fate of an individual. Oedipus is the main character in the play. His urge to pursue knowledge of his identity leads him to devastating events of his life. The story is formed by different themes. The themes include fate and free will, determination, and power.
Thematic Analysis
Fate and Free Will Fate and Free is the theme that has greatly dominated the play. The theme covers the destruction of Oedipus. From free will, Oedipus is consumed with anger and temper. He develops the nature and attitude of pride and this makes him make mistakes when making his judgments. The man is determined to track and punish an assassin and evil doer who at the end turns out to be …show more content…
Oedipus shows power by forcing the prophet to talk and reveal the name of the person who killed Laius so as to avoid assassinations and shedding of blood. Power is normally associated with coercing people to do things they are against. The theme shows how leaders might exploit their position and power. It also shows how individuals abuse the privileges given to them through power.
The prophet had vowed not to speak but King Oedipus said, “Yea, I am wroth, and will not stint my words, but speak my whole mind. Thou methinks thou art he, who planned the crime, aye, and performed it too, all save the assassination; and if thou Hadst not been blind, I had been sworn to boot that thou alone didst do the bloody deed” (Sophocles 725). He shows power in a form of arrogance that makes him not believe in the prophet. Oedipus is accused of killing Laius but dismisses it arguing that it is a plot against him because of his power. He uses power to command and dictate on what others should
Introduction
Oedipus the king is a story that uncovers a murder mystery that is politically connected. It creates a tension between individual actions and the fate of an individual. Oedipus is the main character in the play. His urge to pursue knowledge of his identity leads him to devastating events of his life. The story is formed by different themes. The themes include fate and free will, determination, and power.
Thematic Analysis
Fate and Free Will Fate and Free is the theme that has greatly dominated the play. The theme covers the destruction of Oedipus. From free will, Oedipus is consumed with anger and temper. He develops the nature and attitude of pride and this makes him make mistakes when making his judgments. The man is determined to track and punish an assassin and evil doer who at the end turns out to be …show more content…
Oedipus shows power by forcing the prophet to talk and reveal the name of the person who killed Laius so as to avoid assassinations and shedding of blood. Power is normally associated with coercing people to do things they are against. The theme shows how leaders might exploit their position and power. It also shows how individuals abuse the privileges given to them through power.
The prophet had vowed not to speak but King Oedipus said, “Yea, I am wroth, and will not stint my words, but speak my whole mind. Thou methinks thou art he, who planned the crime, aye, and performed it too, all save the assassination; and if thou Hadst not been blind, I had been sworn to boot that thou alone didst do the bloody deed” (Sophocles 725). He shows power in a form of arrogance that makes him not believe in the prophet. Oedipus is accused of killing Laius but dismisses it arguing that it is a plot against him because of his power. He uses power to command and dictate on what others should