Throughout history, individuals have always sought to define others' controversial actions through guilt or innocence. However, there are circumstances and exceptions unique to every situation and perception of justice. The tendency to simplify matters of justice into innocence and guilt has been evident throughout society. In the Greek tragedy, Oedipus Rex, Sophocles challenges this question led by guilt and innocence. Sophocles illustrates Oedipus' veiled innocence through the sins of his parents, the manipulation by Jocasta, and by Oedipus' ultimate fate. The question of whether Oedipus bears the sins of his parents is central to understanding his lifelong prophecy. A former shepherd reveals to Oedipus that as a child, he was discovered
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In desperation, Jocasta tries to comfort Oedipus as she justifies her sin and this reality. Oedipus states, "As to your mother's marriage bed, don't fear it. / Before this, in dreams too, as well as oracles / Many a man has lain with his own mother. / But he to whom such things are nothing bears his life most easily" (1103-1108). The innocence of Oedipus is supported by Jocasta's manipulation and significant influence on Oedipus. In this way, the chain of events leading to the prophecy had began by his own mother, Jocasta. It is Jocasta, his own mother and wife, that brings the prophecy to fulfillment as she tries to avoid the truth. Although Jocasta may be seen as a victim in Oedipus Rex, she becomes the reason for Oedipus' own victimization. Jocasta's influence reaches its final desperation, as she tries to persuade Oedipus for the last time, "O be persuaded by me, I entreat you...it is because I wish you well that I give you this counsel....O Oedipus, God help you! God keep you from the knowledge of who you are! " (1214, 1218-1219, 1222-1223). Out of grief from her realization, Jocasta flees for the last time before she ends her own …show more content…
In utter despair of his prophecy fulfillment, Oedipus removes his eyes and pleads with Creon to watch over his daughters after he is exiled from Thebes. The Chorus ponders Oedipus' inevitable fate, "Him who knew the famous riddles and was a man most masterful; not a citizen who did not look with envy on his lot. / See him now and see the breakers of misfortune swallow him! / Look upon the last day always. Count no mortal happy till he has passed the final limit of his life secure from pain" (1724-1728). Due to the fact that Oedipus was unaware of his life's riddles, Oedipus receives a veiled justice, and ultimately innocence through his
In desperation, Jocasta tries to comfort Oedipus as she justifies her sin and this reality. Oedipus states, "As to your mother's marriage bed, don't fear it. / Before this, in dreams too, as well as oracles / Many a man has lain with his own mother. / But he to whom such things are nothing bears his life most easily" (1103-1108). The innocence of Oedipus is supported by Jocasta's manipulation and significant influence on Oedipus. In this way, the chain of events leading to the prophecy had began by his own mother, Jocasta. It is Jocasta, his own mother and wife, that brings the prophecy to fulfillment as she tries to avoid the truth. Although Jocasta may be seen as a victim in Oedipus Rex, she becomes the reason for Oedipus' own victimization. Jocasta's influence reaches its final desperation, as she tries to persuade Oedipus for the last time, "O be persuaded by me, I entreat you...it is because I wish you well that I give you this counsel....O Oedipus, God help you! God keep you from the knowledge of who you are! " (1214, 1218-1219, 1222-1223). Out of grief from her realization, Jocasta flees for the last time before she ends her own …show more content…
In utter despair of his prophecy fulfillment, Oedipus removes his eyes and pleads with Creon to watch over his daughters after he is exiled from Thebes. The Chorus ponders Oedipus' inevitable fate, "Him who knew the famous riddles and was a man most masterful; not a citizen who did not look with envy on his lot. / See him now and see the breakers of misfortune swallow him! / Look upon the last day always. Count no mortal happy till he has passed the final limit of his life secure from pain" (1724-1728). Due to the fact that Oedipus was unaware of his life's riddles, Oedipus receives a veiled justice, and ultimately innocence through his