Tragedy in Oedipus the King - Essay Example

He begins thinking that Creon is plotting to overthrow him. Oedipus does detective work on the murder and learns that Tiresias is telling the truth. His story is a true Greek tragedy, wherein a hero meets his downfall because of hubris and the will of the gods. The tragedy is that even the greatest hero cannot overturn his traumatic destiny that the gods have already designed. Oedipus is the greatest hero because of his skills in solving riddles, ruling his city, and seemingly controlling his destiny.

Even the priest that comes for help to Oedipus reminds the king of his past success of overcoming the Sphinx: But, judging thee, in all life’s shifting scenes, Chiefest of men, yea, and of chiefest skill, To soothe the powers of Heaven. For thou it was That freed’st this city, named of Cadmus old (Sophocles, lines 36-39). Oedipus solved the riddle which freed Thebes. Now, he also vows to help his beloved city again in the way that he did before. The priest notes that Oedipus is no God, but he believes that he can help them again.

Oedipus is also confident that he can solve the mystery of the murder of King Laius. Oedipus is also a good ruler who loves and protects his constituents. He tells the priest of how he feels about the plague: “But my heart/ Mourns for the people’s sorrow and mine own” (Sophocles, 68-69). . in with him in prayer and sacrifice, Nor pour for him the stream that cleanses guilt; But all shall thrust him from their homes, abhorred (Sophocles, 251-256). Oedipus detests whoever has brought this vile affliction upon his land.

In return, he wants his people to also abhor the murderer. Oedipus also wants to show the world that he is control of his fate. For him, he is a great hero, unstoppable and wise. Even upon hearing the prophecy of Tiresias, Oedipus remains steadfast that he did not kill Laius, and he even reproaches the old and blind Tiresias: “Truth is for all but thee, but thou hast none,/ Blind in thine ears, thy reason, and thine eyes” (Sophocles, 391-392). This is the first signs of hubris in Oedipus’ personality.

Oedipus, instead of also calmly accepting the revelation, makes hasty accusations against Creon and Tiresias that they are plotting against him. He disregards the prophecy to display his power over his own destiny. The second sign of hubris shows again when Oedipus brags about his success against the Sphinx: And yet the riddle lay above the ken Of common men, and called for prophet’s skill. And this thou show’dst thou hadst not, nor by bird, Nor any God made known; but then I came, I, ?dipus, who nothing knew, and slew her (Sophocles,416-420).

At this point, Oedipus focuses on his achievements instead of promising that he will learn more about the prophecy. By doing this, it indicates how he also plans to regain mastery of his fate by disproving the prophecy that he killed his own father and married his own mother. In addition, Oedipus becomes blinded by his accusations. He has become too proud to see that Creon has been faithful to him all along. When Creon tries to speak with him and explain his side, Oedipus brushes him aside: