The Consequences of Being King - Essay Example

It is the conspiracy of his attributes that are discussed in the below discos intertwined with the series of fates that he grows up to encounter that, underscores the thematic essence of the play: the consequences of being king. The play hinges on the king as the major character of the play. He therefore gives the story its import and meaning. For /in stance, the story speaks of him as an individual who would ascend to kingship upon killing his father and taking his mother to bed. It is against the backdrop of this prophesy about him that other characters including himself attempt to unravel across the play as it unfolds (Whitman 11).

The king is insightful. This is portrayed by his anticipation of the needs of his subjects. For example, during the plague he speedily sends Creon to the oracle at Delphi to seek pieces of advices on the plague. Save from having a great of foresight, he also very assertive. This is evident with the way he confronts his parents about his true biological identity. He on different occasions, equally, seeks to find out from the Oracle about the pelage and excreta. The king is hasty. This is demonstrated in his story of how he killed the travelers who had tried to shove him away from the cross roads.

In addition, the last scene of the play showcases the king as hasty too. This is because he speedily seeks peace (Hall 338). Moreover, his swiftness as well as confidence is further demonstrated by his interrogation of Creon, his request for Tiresias, his threat to banish Tiresias and Creon, his summons for the surviving servant who was a victim at Laius attack, his summon for the shepherd who had guided him to Corinth and lastly, by his rush to the palace to stab his own eyes and demand for self exile.

The king is confident. This can be elucidated in the play by his own proclamation after he saved Thebes from the curse of Sphinx which catapulted him into kingship