Suicide is a desperate act that makes a strong, but sad, lasting statement. However, from this, a question arises, why do people commit suicide? An answer is found through the character Jocasta from Sophocles’ play, Oedipus The King. Jocasta, both the unfortunate wife and mother of Oedipus, is a prideful character and it is this prideful character that begins her downfall. However, she goes through rids her pride once she realizes Oedipus is her child and disposes of her pride in the process. It is this arrogant character and the revelation of Oedipus’ birth that cause Jocasta to commit suicide.
Jocasta is a prideful character throughout the play and her other characteristics, combined with her pride, prepare her suicide. She is shown to be prideful throughout her actions and words …show more content…
After the messenger arrives with news of Polybus’ death, Oedipus is pleased that his adopted father had died thus, unable to fulfill the prophecy. Jocasta responds with a boastful remark stating, “There. Didn’t I tell you from the start” (Sophocles 1064-1065). This pride will be presented in all the other traits and will be a major factor is her suicide. In addition to being hubristic, Jocasta portrays traits of a skeptic, as she constantly questions the prophecy that Tiresias had foretold. During the argument between Creon and Oedipus, Jocasta intervenes by stating, “A prophet? Well then, free yourself of every charge! Listen to me and learn some peace of mind: no skill in the world, nothing human can penetrate the future” (Sophocles 780-782). Being both prideful and a skeptic causes Jocasta to ignore the evidence set forth, such as Oedipus confessing to murder, and only realizes the truth at the last possible moment. In addition, Jocasta believes she can insult the gods, yet still follow them, being prideful by believing her actions are above gods themselves. Relating to the
Jocasta is a prideful character throughout the play and her other characteristics, combined with her pride, prepare her suicide. She is shown to be prideful throughout her actions and words …show more content…
After the messenger arrives with news of Polybus’ death, Oedipus is pleased that his adopted father had died thus, unable to fulfill the prophecy. Jocasta responds with a boastful remark stating, “There. Didn’t I tell you from the start” (Sophocles 1064-1065). This pride will be presented in all the other traits and will be a major factor is her suicide. In addition to being hubristic, Jocasta portrays traits of a skeptic, as she constantly questions the prophecy that Tiresias had foretold. During the argument between Creon and Oedipus, Jocasta intervenes by stating, “A prophet? Well then, free yourself of every charge! Listen to me and learn some peace of mind: no skill in the world, nothing human can penetrate the future” (Sophocles 780-782). Being both prideful and a skeptic causes Jocasta to ignore the evidence set forth, such as Oedipus confessing to murder, and only realizes the truth at the last possible moment. In addition, Jocasta believes she can insult the gods, yet still follow them, being prideful by believing her actions are above gods themselves. Relating to the