Reflective Statement: Oedipus Rex By Sophocles

Reflective Statement In my opinion, Oedipus was not going to be a simple task. The idea of going deep into this topic caused hesitations and doubts since Oedipus is more than far fetched. To deal with the Greek world of that time is something risky. You need precise information and clear understanding Athenian tragedy. Oedipus Rex by Sophocles is the first in the dramatic historical chronology. It deals with the story of Oedipus, a man who becomes King of Thebes. In the process of the play he must fulfil a prophecy which consists in murdering his father Laius and then marrying his mother Jocasta. Oedipus own faults give way to the tragic hero´s downfall. Therefore, it is a perfect example of a classical tragedy. It is important to point out …show more content…
He isn´t precautious and his aspect plays against him. If he had decided to discuss the matter in private like Kreon wanted, his fate could have been less severe. I find him not very rational, and this makes his blindness even more evident. He is the son of a horrible man. Laios is a rotten character that does nothing but bring about negative aspects and dreadful actions. Laios and Jocasta were the ruling couple of Thebes and Thebes fate cast the curse on Oedipus. At the oracle of Delphi, Laios is told that his son would grow up and kill his father and marry his mother. Horrified by the news, orders the child´s death. This doesn´t occur. The child is rescued by a peasant and given to a couple that raised him “a man said I wasn´t my father´s son, called me bastard”. Later in life, Oedipus finds out that this powerful ruling couple are not his biological parents. It is his turn this time to go to the oracle to find out about his origin. All he was told was about the prophecy. “I went to Delphi: I wanted the truth, but Apollo refused to answer me. And yet he did reveal other things, he did show me a future dark with torment, evil, horror” Oracles were thought to be portals through which the gods spoke directly to people. Consulting the oracle was very common at that time. Priests of the oracle interpreted what a goddess said. People had enormous faith in oracle view of the future. No important decision was taken without …show more content…
It is Jocasta herself again that tries to show Oedipus how little trust can be placed in oracles. She will bring to light decisive indications of what she says. According to the oracles Laios would be killed by his son, but robbers killed him. At the three ways. These last words make Oedipus uneasy. He is so lost in thought, to the extent of not listening when Jocasta goes on to tell him about how her son died, with his ankles pierced and strung together, on a mountain where there were no roads or people. If he had paid attention, he would have connected his old wound and his name Oedipus, swollen foot with Jocasta´s son. This way, the puzzle of his life would have begun to take shape and the pieces fit together. Equally important, are the events and actions which distracted Oedipus in his search for the truth and clearly show us his character. He is an intelligent man, quick to act and react. He quickly spotted a plot in the murder of Laios. He doubted that the man who was king before him could have been killed by bandits acting alone. “How could a single bandit dare attack a king unless he had supporters, people with money, here in