In Oedipus Rex, Oedipus saved Thebes and became king, but he was still ruined. One should learn from Oedipus and not presume you've won until die pleased. The theme from this quote is “if you try to defy the gods and trick your fate by being too confident, karma and the gods will come to tear you down.” The theme is evident in both Antigone, and Oedipus Rex. Oedipus enters Oedipus Rex once again to try to save Thebes. He says, “And therefore I have come myself to hear you- I, Oedipus who bear the famous name” (4). Oedipus is haughty here, claiming that he, the most important, can save Thebes. He is only saving Thebes from himself though since he was the killer of Laios, which placed the curse on Thebes. Since he is too arrogant and it is his
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He assumes himself the gods' favorite, and as high, or higher than them. Oedipus disobeys the most basic law of listening to the gods, and as a result comes to be punished throughout his search and is punished by learning of his sins. At the end after he has learned of his sins, Oedipus cries, “Damned in the blood he shed with his own hand” (64). Oedipus had tried to run from his fate and instead ran right into it, killing King Laios. He attempted to cheat fate, and was punished for it, losing his father, mother/wife, eyesight, throne, and dignity. Once he realizes this he inquires, “What has god done to me?” because he realizes that god has ruined him because of his pride and him trying to escape fate (71). Finally, at the very end of all of Oedipus's woes, he blinds himself and says, “How could I bear to see when all my sight was horror everywhere?” (72). He thinks he does not deserve to see now that he has realized his horrible fate and lost his parents/spouse. He will not die having a life without pain. Oedipus was arrogant enough to think he could defy the gods' prophecy and so, in turn, they shot him down to lose everything he once had. This theme is evident in Antigone as …show more content…
The sentry doesn't want to defy Creon's law here, and when Creon threatens to torture him to acquire information, the sentry flees. However, he returns with Antigone, unhappy about it: “And some uneasiness: for it is a good thing to escape from death, but it is no great pleasure to bring death to a friend” (207). The sentry, not wanting to be tortured, turns in Antigone, but he knows Antigone is right in her decision to defy Creon. The sentry, and all of Thebes, know that Creon is wrong to defy the gods, and that his arrogance will only lead to his punishment. The gods' burial rights laws are strict and should be followed no matter what. The sentry brings up this fact to Creon earlier and Creon yells, “Intolerable! The gods favor this corpse?” (201). Creon is assuming to know what the gods want, and by doing so he defies the natural laws of heaven and burial rights. For this, the gods should and will ruin him and his family. The chorus notes this: “In the late wind of death, he cannot stand”
He assumes himself the gods' favorite, and as high, or higher than them. Oedipus disobeys the most basic law of listening to the gods, and as a result comes to be punished throughout his search and is punished by learning of his sins. At the end after he has learned of his sins, Oedipus cries, “Damned in the blood he shed with his own hand” (64). Oedipus had tried to run from his fate and instead ran right into it, killing King Laios. He attempted to cheat fate, and was punished for it, losing his father, mother/wife, eyesight, throne, and dignity. Once he realizes this he inquires, “What has god done to me?” because he realizes that god has ruined him because of his pride and him trying to escape fate (71). Finally, at the very end of all of Oedipus's woes, he blinds himself and says, “How could I bear to see when all my sight was horror everywhere?” (72). He thinks he does not deserve to see now that he has realized his horrible fate and lost his parents/spouse. He will not die having a life without pain. Oedipus was arrogant enough to think he could defy the gods' prophecy and so, in turn, they shot him down to lose everything he once had. This theme is evident in Antigone as …show more content…
The sentry doesn't want to defy Creon's law here, and when Creon threatens to torture him to acquire information, the sentry flees. However, he returns with Antigone, unhappy about it: “And some uneasiness: for it is a good thing to escape from death, but it is no great pleasure to bring death to a friend” (207). The sentry, not wanting to be tortured, turns in Antigone, but he knows Antigone is right in her decision to defy Creon. The sentry, and all of Thebes, know that Creon is wrong to defy the gods, and that his arrogance will only lead to his punishment. The gods' burial rights laws are strict and should be followed no matter what. The sentry brings up this fact to Creon earlier and Creon yells, “Intolerable! The gods favor this corpse?” (201). Creon is assuming to know what the gods want, and by doing so he defies the natural laws of heaven and burial rights. For this, the gods should and will ruin him and his family. The chorus notes this: “In the late wind of death, he cannot stand”