In the city of Thebes plagues have fallen onto the people and distressed King Oedipus is desperate to find a solution. Since Oedipus freed the citizens from a murderous Sphinx the people hope that Oedipus will salvage the city once more. Oedipus desperately sends, his brother-in-law, Creon to seek advice from the oracle of Apollo. Once Creon arrives from his journey he informs Oedipus that Thebes will be saved if the murderer of the former king of Thebes is found and prosecuted. Although the murder of King Laius occurred years ago, at a crossroad, Oedipus is determined to know who murdered him. His investigation begins once he announces to the citizens that they must turn in any information about the murderer of Laius. When nobody has any
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If a mortal can hinder the god’s plan then he can overcome any obstacle, which made him even more egotistical. Oedipus’s pride also intensifies when he thinks he saved the people of Thebes from the Sphinx, but he unknowingly caused their torment. As the new king of Thebes Oedipus is convinced that he is a righteous leader but his ego clouds his judgement. For instance throughout the play Oedipus constantly proclaims how he will solve the plagues cast upon Thebes but he declares that he is in more pain than the citizens. “But sick though you may be, there is not one of you as sick as I” (Sophocles, 4). Even during times of suffering of his citizens Oedipus manages to put himself above all. Also Oedipus’s nobility causes him to be easily paranoid and rash in difficult situations. Oedipus is quick to suspect Creon in treason and threatens anybody that does not grant him the answers he desires. Oedipus may want justice for Laius and Thebes but his search for the truth ends up as an investigation for the mystery of his birth. Oedipus begins to focus on himself, even though Jocasta and Tiresias urge him not to. Furthermore Oedipus values logic more than anything but he refuses to believe in the truth. Once Oedipus fully comprehends the truth he quickly gives Thebes and his father justice by mutilating his eyes. All Oedipus desired was to avoid the evil of his fate but his search for justice leads him to
If a mortal can hinder the god’s plan then he can overcome any obstacle, which made him even more egotistical. Oedipus’s pride also intensifies when he thinks he saved the people of Thebes from the Sphinx, but he unknowingly caused their torment. As the new king of Thebes Oedipus is convinced that he is a righteous leader but his ego clouds his judgement. For instance throughout the play Oedipus constantly proclaims how he will solve the plagues cast upon Thebes but he declares that he is in more pain than the citizens. “But sick though you may be, there is not one of you as sick as I” (Sophocles, 4). Even during times of suffering of his citizens Oedipus manages to put himself above all. Also Oedipus’s nobility causes him to be easily paranoid and rash in difficult situations. Oedipus is quick to suspect Creon in treason and threatens anybody that does not grant him the answers he desires. Oedipus may want justice for Laius and Thebes but his search for the truth ends up as an investigation for the mystery of his birth. Oedipus begins to focus on himself, even though Jocasta and Tiresias urge him not to. Furthermore Oedipus values logic more than anything but he refuses to believe in the truth. Once Oedipus fully comprehends the truth he quickly gives Thebes and his father justice by mutilating his eyes. All Oedipus desired was to avoid the evil of his fate but his search for justice leads him to