In the history of literature, some of the most famous works are those of Greek plays with their astonishing plots and cryptic motifs. From the tragic trilogy The Oresteia by Aeschylus to the comedic The Frogs by Aristophanes, Greek plays demonstrate tragedies and comedies that today’s society would deem beyond belief. Of these prominent theatrical works is the scandalous tragedy of Oedipus Rex by Sophocles. This drama combines incest and murder to attribute to the calamitous life of Oedipus Rex, king of Thebes. With a prophecy that predicts Oedipus’ doom, this Theban king creates chaos for himself, brings order to the catastrophe he has bred, and demonstrates to readers to not underestimate anything of higher power. First of all, the character
…show more content…
You promise? Creon. I cannot speak beyond my knowledge. (1459- 1462) Oedipus’ only request is for Creon to take care of his daughters, for he knows that they will face a hard time letting their father go. He does this because he believes that he must live the rest of his life in sorrow. By blinding himself, Oedipus proves that he thinks there is nothing left to see in the world and fears seeing his dead parents in the afterlife. After finally figuring out that he is the one to blame for Lauis’ murder, Oedipus knows what he has to do to account for his actions. Furthermore, from his actions, Oedipus demonstrates the theme to not underestimate anything of higher power. Oedipus underestimates higher power in the play by thinking that he can escape the prophecy that the oracle informed him about. Because he thinks he can prevent murdering his father and marrying his mother, his feels as if his world had come crashing down when he finds out that the prophecy had come true. Oedipus shows his pain when he purges his …show more content…
It was true! All of the prophecies!
-Now,
O Light, may I look on you for the last time! I, Oedipus, Oedipus, damned in his birth, in his marriage Damned, Damned in the blood he shed with his own hand! (1118- 23)
If Oedipus had just accepted the fact that the prophecy was inevitable, he might have not been as hurt as he is at the end of the play. By following Oedipus’ actions throughout the play, readers learn to never underestimate anyone or anything of higher power. As the main character of the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, Oedipus endures and takes part in the conflict between order and chaos. Despite his efforts to ward off the prophecy from coming true, Oedipus only creates a catastrophe for himself. To get himself out of his mess, Oedipus punishes and exiles himself from Thebes. Overall, the theme that Oedipus teaches readers is to never underestimate anyone or anything of higher power. If it were not for some of the mistakes Oedipus had made in the past, he might have not created the calamity that lasts throughout the play. Although Oedipus himself does not live a happy ending, his story gives a message to readers that things can go terribly wrong if their actions resemble his
You promise? Creon. I cannot speak beyond my knowledge. (1459- 1462) Oedipus’ only request is for Creon to take care of his daughters, for he knows that they will face a hard time letting their father go. He does this because he believes that he must live the rest of his life in sorrow. By blinding himself, Oedipus proves that he thinks there is nothing left to see in the world and fears seeing his dead parents in the afterlife. After finally figuring out that he is the one to blame for Lauis’ murder, Oedipus knows what he has to do to account for his actions. Furthermore, from his actions, Oedipus demonstrates the theme to not underestimate anything of higher power. Oedipus underestimates higher power in the play by thinking that he can escape the prophecy that the oracle informed him about. Because he thinks he can prevent murdering his father and marrying his mother, his feels as if his world had come crashing down when he finds out that the prophecy had come true. Oedipus shows his pain when he purges his …show more content…
It was true! All of the prophecies!
-Now,
O Light, may I look on you for the last time! I, Oedipus, Oedipus, damned in his birth, in his marriage Damned, Damned in the blood he shed with his own hand! (1118- 23)
If Oedipus had just accepted the fact that the prophecy was inevitable, he might have not been as hurt as he is at the end of the play. By following Oedipus’ actions throughout the play, readers learn to never underestimate anyone or anything of higher power. As the main character of the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, Oedipus endures and takes part in the conflict between order and chaos. Despite his efforts to ward off the prophecy from coming true, Oedipus only creates a catastrophe for himself. To get himself out of his mess, Oedipus punishes and exiles himself from Thebes. Overall, the theme that Oedipus teaches readers is to never underestimate anyone or anything of higher power. If it were not for some of the mistakes Oedipus had made in the past, he might have not created the calamity that lasts throughout the play. Although Oedipus himself does not live a happy ending, his story gives a message to readers that things can go terribly wrong if their actions resemble his