Loss Of Innocence In Oedipus The King

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Throughout the play, Oedipus the King by Sophocles, Oedipus becomes more self-aware as he learns the truth about his fate. As a young child, Oedipus learns of a prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother. When he comes of age he leaves his parents in fear he will fulfill the prophecy, though he doesn't know he was given away at birth by his birth parents. A terrible plague has struck Oedipus's city, Thebes. After Creon, Oedipus right-hand man, comes back from visiting Apollo, Oedipus learns what must happen for his city to be saved from the plague. He must find the killer of Laius, the former king of Thebes, who is living in the city. Oedipus, desperate for answers about Laius’ killer calls on Tiresias, the blind prophet. While talking to Tiresias, Oedipus becomes upset and then angry after Tiresias refuses, to tell the truth. …show more content…
Oedipus accuses Tiresias of making up this claim because he is too belligerent to even begin to think that is the truth. After Teiresias leaves, Oedipus consults with his wife, Jocasta, about the encounter. During this Jocasta mentions the place where Laius was slaughtered, Oedipus begins to question her about Laius’ death. Triggered by his memory Oedipus says, “ I have a terrible fear the blind seer can see” (Sophocles 203). Oedipus recalls his journey to Thebes during which he killed a man, and begins to put two and two together. He is still hesitant to admit he is Laius’

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