Prophecy and Suicide in Oedipus Rex - 682 Words

Galileo Galilei is a man whose unwavering pursuit of the truth in a time of dogmatism and theocratic conformity, has cemented his legacy for over four centuries. His discoveries have been a stellar paradigm for today’s scientific community. When he published Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems, proclaiming heliocentrism - Copernicus’ theory that the planets revolved around a stationary sun - was the undisputed truth, he was tried by the Inquisition, which found him vehemently suspect of heresy. He was sentenced to house arrest ‘unto death’. Though the veracity of his claims was later confirmed, this demonstrates that knowledge is a burden, for Galileo’s insight led to his persecution. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, â€Å"Knowledge is knowing that we cannot know.† This theory also applies to the case of Oedipus Rex, where his knowledge of the oracle proves hazardous instead of rewarding. Similar to Galileo, though Oedipus’ insight is true, it encumbers the bearer. Oedipus’ knowledge of the prophecy is more so a burden than a benefit, because it led to his wife, Jocasta’s suicide and his all-consuming guilt. Oedipus is the cause, albeit indirectly, of Jocasta’s death. He did not obey her warning. She knew the nature of their incestuous relationship and exhorted him against speaking to the messenger and shepherd; the truth would ultimately threaten their marriage. Her problem was not with the misdeed - it was with Oedipus’ awareness, for she assured him, â€Å"†Have noShow MoreRelated The Oedipus Complex in Oedipus Rex Essay732 Words   |  3 PagesThe Oedipus Complex in Oedipus Rex Thousands of years after Sophocles wrote the story of Oedipus Rex; psychologists named a complex after the behavioral characteristics of Oedipus. For many years psychologists have called a son having a sexual attraction toward his mother the Oedipus Complex. It is common belief that Oedipus Rex did not actually suffer from the Oedipus Complex. The basic support for this theory can be found through Oedipus inherent fear of the prophecy placed upon him,Read MoreOedipus: The Scapegoat or The Murderer?1359 Words   |  6 PagesIn the Sophocles play, â€Å"Oedipus Rex,† discrepancy between whether Oedipus is the main culprit for murdering King Laius or if Oedipus has become the scapegoat for the cause of the city’s plague that took many lives. The murder of King Laius strikes the interest of many readers and therefore creating the discussion of who would be a culprit for the crime. One side of the argument shows the Greek Gods set a curse upon Oedipus making his destiny one of wrongful conviction for a murderous crime. On theRead MoreComparison Between Oedipus Rex and Street Car Named Desire1268 Words   |  6 Pages‘Oedipus Rex’ and ‘Streetcar’       | Similarities | Contrasts | Clever Points | Actions / Events | ï‚ ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Both ‘Oedipus Rex’ and ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ have scenes where a character’s past is revealed, whether it is to other characters or to the audience (e.g. Oedipus’ parentage or Blanche’s past). This shows an underlying tone that they cannot fully escape their past, whether it is an eventual surfacing (in A Streetcar Named Desire) or an abrupt revelation (in Oedipus Rex). This is linkedRead MoreOedipus Rex Essay749 Words   |  3 PagesIn Oedipus Rex, Sophocles explores the conflict between a man’s intellectual reasoning and the universe beyond his grasp. This may seem like a generalization, but the play’s minor conflicts are arguably derivatives of the main struggle. As we would see, the fate or destiny that opposes Oedipus does not act directly on him, but creates a domino effect that through other conflicts drive him to face his destiny by unearthing his true identity. Similar to the Sphinx’s riddle that gave power to OedipusRead MoreEssay on Blindness and Sight - Lack of Vision in Oedipus The King910 Words   |  4 PagesBlindness in Oedipus The King (Rex) What is sight? Is it just the ability to recognize one’s surroundings or is there more? Is it knowledge? Is it understanding? Can a blind man see? Can the sighted be blind? And beyond, when the truth is too terrible, do we choose not to see? The phrase too see has so very many connotations. One meaning is to know or to understand and the other is based on the physical aspects of things. As humans, we are distracted by the physical world, which causes usRead MoreOedipus Fate And Fate Essay777 Words   |  4 Pagesfree will in his plays. In the play Oedipus Rex there was a prophecy that Oedipus was destined to kill his father and marry his mother, he attempts to escape his destiny by running away to Thebes where he meets his fate. In the play Antigone, that main character Antigone decides to go against Creon’s (her uncle who has inherited the throne) decree and bury the brother, Polynices, knowing the consequences would lead to her death. In Sophocles’ plays Oedi pus Rex and Antigone, the theme is mankind notRead MoreParent and Child Relationships of Oedipus Rex and Live Alone1292 Words   |  5 PagesSalem Smith effectively use the strained relationships of Oedipus and Jocasta, and Helen Warren and Clementine to develop their plays Oedipus Rex and Love Alone. While both plays contain parent and child relationships, the type of relationship proves to be radically different. In Oedipus Rex, Jocasta serves as the Queen of Thebes and Oedipus is an abandoned son of Jocasta and current king of Thebes. In the beginning of the play, Oedipus, happily married to Jocasta, has several children with theRead MoreAnalysis Of Me Before You, Oedipus Rex, And Macbeth1261 Words   |  6 Pageslove stories; fate has played a large role in fiction since the dawn of writing. When an author sets down her pen upon her desk in anticipation of a novel, she will use fate deliberately, exactly, to weave her tale. In the texts, Me Before You, Oedipus Rex, and Macbeth, it is apparent that their authors delved into this topic and used it to tell the morals of their story. Essentially, these authors, in an attempt to instill the moral of â€Å"do as you’re told†, use fate as a device to trap the readerRead More Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex Fulfills All of the Requirements of a Tragedy1088 Words   |  5 PagesSophocles’ Oedipus Rex Fulfills All of the Require ments of a Tragedy Throughout Poetics, Aristotle describes what traits a tragedy must have to be successful. To support these choices, he makes use of a small analysis of many tragedies, including many of Sophocles’ plays; Oedipus Rex is one of the plays mentioned in Aristotle’s Poetics. Some of these traits include a successful plot structure, recognition scenes, and a correct choice for its hero. In Oedipus Rex, Sophocles fulfills all ofRead MoreOedipus Rex Analisys895 Words   |  4 PagesIn Oedipus Rex, Sophocles portraits one of the most intriguing and fascinating traits of the human nature: the search for truth regarding who we are and the realization of the paths reserved by our future fate. The play starts with the presentation of the main character: Oedipus, the king of Thebes. Sophocles presents Oedipus to the reader as a majestic figure who addresses his attention to the people of Thebes from his palace. The city had been hit by a devastating plague due to Laà ¯os (the