Oedipus, A Liar, By Sophocles - 839 Words

In the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, Oedipus remains blind throughout the play, both figuratively and literally. The play is about a man named Oedipus whose fate is to kill his father and marry his mother. His biological parents, knowing about the Oedipus’ prophecy, abandons him, and continue with their lives. However, Oedipus is saved, but spends his life running away from his adoptive parents (who he believed to be his biological parents), afraid that the prophecy may come true. As the audience knows, the prophecy has been fulfilled, however, Oedipus is oblivious to the truth. He often chooses to ignore the truth and remain figuratively blind to what everyone is trying to prove to him. He accuses Tiresias, the blind prophet, of being a liar, continuing to then unreasonably project his anger towards Creon . Once he finally opens his eyes to the truth, he decides to gouge out his eyes, becoming literally blind. Firstly, Oedipus accuses Tiresias of being a liar after trying to discuss the prophecy and tell Oedipus the truth. Tiresias is called in to help release the city from the plague. After some resistance, the prophet reveals that Oedipus is the murderer of Laius, angering Oedipus as Tiresias had predicted. Oedipus rejects Tiresias’ words, saying things such as â€Å"That obscenity, twice- by god, you’ll pay† (Pg.180, 414) as well as â€Å"Your words are nothing- futile† (Pg. 180, 416). His figurative blindness affects his judgement, causing him to not accept what Tiresias isShow MoreRelatedOedipus As A Tragic Hero1094 Words   |  5 PagesIn the play Oedipus the King, Oedipus struggles to accept the truth and lets his temper over power him. He can be displayed as a tragic hero. His refusal to accept the truth led to Oedipus’ down fall. A tragic hero, as defined by Aristotle, â€Å"is a literary character who makes a judgment error that inevitably le ads to his/her own destruction.† Sophocles’ Oedipus exemplifies Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero. In the play, Oedipus unknowingly has cursed the entire town of Thebes. He was cursedRead MoreAnalysis Of Antigone By Sophocles1074 Words   |  5 Pages create a sense of fear and pity in the audience that comes from unmerited adversity, and lastly, a tragic hero’s own death or great suffering must originate from their own flaws or errors in judgment (â€Å"Aristotle The Elements of Tragedy†). In Sophocles’ play â€Å"Antigone†, King Creon fits all the requirements of a tragic hero. Creon believed that his own decisions and rulings would benefit his kingdom for the better. 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Almost every aspect of the play builds up and foreshadows Oedipus’ fall from power, and entry into pain. Sophocles in his tragedy Oedipus Rex creates a mood of dramatic irony using the dualities of sight and blindness, and light and darkness. This dramatic irony highlights Oedipus’ hamartia and in doing so Sophocles enhances his messageRead MoreOedipus the King: Fate vs. Free Will Essay examples591 Words   |  3 PagesSophocles’ Oedipus the King: Fate vs. Free Will In Oedipus the King, one of Sophocles’ most popular plays, Sophocles clearly depicts the Greek’s popular belief that fate will control a man’s life despite of man’s free will. Man was free to choose and was ultimately held responsible for his own actions. Throughout Oedipus the King, the concept of fate and free will plays an integral part in Oedipus destruction. Destined to marry his mother and murder his father, Oedipus was partly guidedRead More Boundaries of Destiny, Fate, Free Will and Free Choice in Oedipus the King1282 Words   |  6 PagesBoundaries of Fate and Free Will in Oedipus the King    The ancient Greeks firmly believed that the universe was guided strictly by order and fate. In Oedipus the King, Sophocles has examined the relationship between free will and fate, suggesting that free will paradoxically exists inside the boundaries of fate. It may be concluded, however, that man has free will and is ultimately held responsible for his own actions.    Oedipus destruction was brought about by a combination of fateRead MoreOedipus Rex: Classic Tragic Hero921 Words   |  4 PagesIn the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, Oedipus is a classic tragic hero. According to Aristotles definition, Oedipus is a tragic hero because he is a king whose life falls apart when he finds out his life story. There are a number of characteristics described by Aristotle that identify a tragic hero. For example, a tragic hero must cause his own downfall; his fate is not deserved, and his punishment exceeds the crime; he also must be of noble stature and have greatness. Oedipus is in love with hisRead MoreOedipus the King: Fate Vs Free Will Essay639 Words   |  3 Pages Oedipus the King, was written by Sophocles between C.A.496-406B.C. In this play, Oedipus is a great example of Sophocles’ belief that fate will control a man’s life no matter how much free will exists. Oedipus is a man of unflagging determination and perseverance, but one who must learn through the working out of a terrible prophecy that there are forces beyond any man’s conceptualization or control. Oedipus’ actions were determined before his birth, yet Oedipus’ actions are entirely determinedRead MoreOedipus The King Analysis1357 Words   |  6 PagesGreek play, Oedipus the King, shows how easy it is for a man to fall apart, while trying to make things right. Sophocles’ tragedy tells the story of Oedipus, a regular man turned king of Thebes. Throughout the tragedy, Oedipus searches for the cause of the chaos and havoc encompassing his land; however, he discovers that he is the one responsible for the hardships plaguing Thebes. As the tragedy continues, Sophocles’ exposes a dark side to power, fame, and ambition. Further, Sophocles’ exposes theRead More Oedipus Tyrannos by Sophocles1623 Words   |  7 PagesOedipus Tyrannos by Sophoc les Sophocles uses a mixture of both visual and emotional imagery to create the morally questioning, Greek tragedy ‘Oedipus Tyrannos’. He presents the audience with an intense drama, which addresses the reality and importance of the gods that the Greeks fervently believed in. The play also forces the audience to ask themselves if there is such a concept as fate.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  From the very beginning of Oedipus, it is made clear â€Å"that his destiny be one of fate and worse†