Who Is Oedipus Responsible For His Own Downfall

Oedipus the King set himself up for an outlandish life. Had he not botched a bunch of situations, his future would have been exceptional. I believe that someone's fate is determined by their choices and decisions that they give rise to. Oedipus let his emotions, and his selfish mind endanger and corrupt himself, his family, and his city. First off, Oedipus is more concerned for himself than his people. "For who knows, tomorrow this self same murderer may turn his bloody hands on me. The cause of Laius is therefore my own," pg. (Oedipus). Oedipus didn't intercede for what happened to Laius. In this quote he states that he might be next to be murdered, but what about his own people? This ignorance of the safety of those around him …show more content…
Oedipus' anger is taking over the things he needs to act upon and take responsibility for. The Chorus even calls him out on it, " Forgive us Oedipus, but this is anger. He spoke in anger too," pg. 23 (Chorus). When you do something through anger, the outcome is probably going to be atrocious. When Oedipus is going off about Creon not being loyal and trustworthy, he can't help but let his frustration outshine everything and the Chorus has to tell him that he is getting too heated about it. They reminded him that everything could be solved in a sufficient manner that will please and settle down everyone. Oedipus' anger forces him to flow down a river of poor decisions. Oedipus' decison making is the worst. He commited incest with his mother. He didn't have to kill people! He did not have to lie about killing Laius, his lies dug him into a deeper hole that brought him closer to hell. These mistakes have come along with him in his life, a digusting, back-stabbing life. Some would argue that the Gods' made this happen, but Oedipus made these horrible decisions because he was only thinking of himself and not of the consequences to