, Research Paper
Oedipus Rex
A Man of Many Traits
All characters in pieces of English literature portray their own character traits which makes them and the story what they are. In Sophocle s renowned play Oedipus Rex there is no exception when it comes to the main character Oedipus. From the beginning until the end Oedipus piety, confidence, and reason are portrayed allowing everyone to see his positive side. These traits however are taken over respectively by impiety, passion and a lack of confidence. These negative traits tend to show when his pride is being threatened.
Oedipus places himself on a constant level with the gods yet for the most part he holds utmost respect for them. He not only believes this himself but also is placed close to the gods by other people such as priests and the people of Thebes. As to the man surest in mortal ways and wisest in the way of gods. (37-38) Although he holds himself on a constant level with the Gods he does so out of respect for himself and the Gods. Only when his pride is threaten does he acknowledge himself as being better then Gods. A gods touch, it seems enabled you to help us. (42) By this no one means any disrespect to the Gods yet they do see Oedipus as being close to them. Oedipus is seen to have saved their town from the Sphinx, became king and now is determined to avenge Laois death. This puts him at a level of high respect among his people.
Oedipus is not only a man of confidence, he is a man of reason for the most part. It is honorable to think and act with reason rather then passion and Oedipus does so to a certain extent. When Oedipus hears of the horrendous curse laid on his city, he swears to solve it. The first time that he is confronted about the murder he reacts with strict reason and avoids arguing at all costs. I was not sleeping, you are not waking me. (67) Oedipus is putting clear thought into the case and is piecing the parts together rationally. Then once more I must bring what is dark to light. (135) The main concer of Oedipus at this time is that his city be healed. His would like to solve the murder of Laios and have the city back to normal with him being in power. Oedipus continues to act reasonably until his pride is threatened and the guilt is turned in his favor.
Oedipus holds a high amount of confidence in himself. This however is not a bad thing yet it is a good trait for Oedipus. He realizes his place in society and is not ashamed of it. I Oedipus who bear the famous name. (9) When Kreon and Oedipus begin to argue, Oedipus reveals his confidence by stating that already knows what Kreon has planned and that it is against him. (509-510) Although this could be seen as a state of passion, it clearly states that Oedipus is so confident in himself that he can hold himself above Kreon regardless of the negative outcome.
Oedipus, the simple man, who knows nothing- I thought
it out myself, no birds helped me! And this is the man
you think you can destroy / (385-387)
Oedipus clearly takes his confidence to a very high level when he states that he is such a good man that not even the birds had to help him solve the Sphinx. He sees himself as a man who cannot be defeated. This is the trait that makes him such a strong King yet such a weak one at the same time.
When Oedipus pride is threatened, regardless of whom does it, it causes Oedipus positive traits to be devoured by negative ones. His piety is taken over by impiety, his reason by passion, and his confidence turns around to show a lack of confidence in himself. At the point when Oedipus realizes that he may be in the wrong his pride is hurt. This causes him to turn to be the negative Oedipus. He demonstrates moments of impiety, passion, and lack of confidence in himself.
Oedipus pride is very high. He holds a very large amount of pride in himself and for these reasons he places himself above the gods. His impious nature is revealed from the start when he states that although he is not a God he can fulfill their duties. Is this your prayer? It may be answered. (205) When it comes to the riddle of the Sphinx, Oedipus again places himself on a level higher then the gods. Kreon threatens Oedipus pride by stating that he is no good and that he will soon realize this. Oedipus then simply states that he has the ability to solve the sphinx without the God s help. I thought it out myself, no birds helped me! (385-387) Not only did he disrespect the gods, he challenged Kreon to see who is a more capable man. Although Oedipus is a very good leader, his impious nature leads him to be a lesser man. After Oedipus learns the truth he then blames the gods for following through with his fate. He almost begs an answer from them by asking then what they have done to him. (1282) The Gods see him as disrespectful. His pride and overconfidence cause him to act impious and disrespectful.
Oedipus carries so much pride in himself that when it becomes hurt or threatened he tends to think and act out of passion rather then reason. No, I will not go on. Rage as you please. (330) Oedipus begins going against Teiresias and starts an argument, it is easy to tell who is acting out of reason or passion and it is definitely clear that Oedipus is acting out of passion. Not only is Teiresias next to the Gods, he is a man of reason and Oedipus in his right state would know not to be so rash towards him. Through Kreon expressing his views towards Oedipus and the murder, Oedipus pride is not only hurt but also threatened. He begins acting out of passion. Although Oedipus is acting out of passion, Kreon remains reasonable, which aggravates Oedipus even more. When Oedipus is told to Reason it out (553) it sets him off and Kreon is left the only reasonable one.
You do wrong
When you take good men for bad, bad men for good.
A true friend thrown aside-why, life itself is not more
Precious! (580-583)
When Oedipus pride is finally demolished by the truth of what happened, he acts out of passion hunting down Iokasta to be murdered. Although she was not to blame, Oedipus was not thinking reasonably and was acting out of passion rather then reason. From one to another of us he went, begging a sword, hunting the wife who was not his wife (1222, 1223) There is no doubt that Oedipus reason is controlled by the state of his pride. When his pride is intact, Oedipus remains reasonable, yet when it is threatened he becomes a man who acts solely out of passion. His reason disappears and his good traits turn to negative ones.
Oedipus confidence is a trait that definitely makes the man. He figures that he has overcome an number of obstacles and has every right to be confident in himself. However when his pride is being threatened he begins to lose his confidence in himself. He realizes that he is not a child of luck. (37) At the time that Oedipus realizes the truth he also realizes that the pride he held in himself was false. This set him off and the lack of confidence in himself was apparent.
Oedipus, damned in his birth, in his marriage
damned,Damned in the blood he shed with his
own hand. (1139-1140)
He went from believing that he was the all mighty King Oedipus to realizing that he is nothing more than damned. He has no self-confidence in himself and he sees himself as nothing more then a waste of skin.
Why did you shelter me? When I was cast upon
you, why did I not die? Then I should never have
Shown the world my execrable birth.
Oedipus realized all the wrong he had committed when he was informed of the truth. He lost all confidence in himself and realized how rash he had been. Oedipus was definitely ashamed in himself.
From the beginning of Oedipus Rex, Oedipus piety, reason and confidence are portrayed allowing everyone to see his positive side. However as Oedipus pride is hurt or threatened his negative traits respectively take over. His piety becomes impiety, his reason turns to passion and his confidence leads to a lack of confidence in himself. Oedipus begins as a well-respected man yet his pride seems to cause all of his negative traits. Pride prevented him to believe what the truth may be which led him to act impious as well as out of passion. He lost his sense of self worth and became the thing he hated the most. Overall Oedipus had the potential to be great leader and if it wasn t for him needing the sense of pride then he would have realized the truth a lot sooner and accepted it. Although he began by acting in a positive manner, the positive actions prevented him to believe and caused his downfall. Oedipus, being the tragic hero that he is falls into bad fortune because of such flaws in his character. However these traits made Oedipus what he is and therefore at some point in his life he was a great man.
344
Другие работы по теме:
Oedipus The King Essay Research Paper 3
Oedipus The King Essay, Research Paper 3. How Sophocles? Oedipus the King fits the description of tragedy provided by Aristotle? Why does Aristotle believe tragedy is superior to epic poetry?
Oedipus Essay Research Paper battles against Centaurs
Oedipus Essay, Research Paper battles against Centaurs, Amazons, also friezes of Athena figthing the giants. Interestingly these sculptures are all of either battle or celebrations, this in way show cased the Athenian ambitions.
Hiding From Destiny Essay Research Paper Hiding
Hiding From Destiny Essay, Research Paper Hiding From Destiny Running from your problems, is not a method of solving them. This is advice I have received several times since I started school. I believe that, Oedipus, would be liked to have had this wonderful advice in his life. The protagonist, in our play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, learned this, the hard way.
Riddle Of Doom Essay Research Paper The
Riddle Of Doom Essay, Research Paper The Riddle of Doom Sophocles “Oedipus the King” is a tragic play which discusses the tragic discovery of Oedipus that he has killed his father and married his mother. The story of Oedipus was well known to the Athenian’s. Oedipus is the embodiment of the perfect Athenian.
Oedipus Rex 4 Essay Research Paper Essay
Oedipus Rex 4 Essay, Research Paper Essay- Oedipus the King by Sophocles According to Aristotle, the protagonist in a tragedy must have a tragic flaw that ultimately becomes the cause of his ruin. Oedipus in Oedipus the King by Sophocles tragic flaw that caused his downfall was his pride. Three examples of when Oedipus pride got the better of him were: when he left his adopted parents in Cornith, the second is when he goes against Creon, and the third is when Oedipus is demanding that the messenger tell him all he knows about who his real parents are.
Oedipus Rex Essay Research Paper Oedipus RexSophocles
Oedipus Rex Essay, Research Paper Oedipus Rex Sophocles’ Oedipus the King perpetuates this ideology that the title character pursues a path which happens to be foretold. Oedipus was determined to save his city and discover his identity, however he ultimately assists in his own downfall. Oedipus’ fall from his kingly status was not by accident or because of some other person.
OedipusS Misfortunes Essay Research Paper Oedipuss MisfortunesWho
Oedipus?S Misfortunes Essay, Research Paper Oedipus?s Misfortunes Who is responsible for the misfortunes of Oedipus? Is it because of the careless way his parents, Laius and Jocasta handle problems, the disobedience of the Shepard, fate, the gods or Oedipus himself? Even though many people contribute to Oedipus downfall he is ultimately responsible.
Sophocles Vs Euripides Essay Research Paper While
Sophocles Vs. Euripides Essay, Research Paper While both Sophocles and Euripides are considered writers of Greek tragedy, their plays (Antigone, Oedipus Rex, Medea) have some subtle and some profound differences. In both Antigone and Oedipus Rex, the ?tragic heroes? suffer from a major character flaw- hubris.
The Theban Plays Essay Research Paper Throughout
The Theban Plays Essay, Research Paper Throughout, The Theban Plays Creon remained an important character. From the first play King Oedipus through the second play Oedipus at Colonus Creon displayed a dramatic change in his character. A change in Creon?s personality was noticeable when the truth about Oedipus was revealed.
Oedipus The King Essay Research Paper Oedipus 2
Oedipus The King Essay, Research Paper Oedipus: King Of Riddles? In Greek mythology the oracles or gods are rarely wrong in their predictions of the future. Yet the characters still try to fight the
Oedipus 3 Essay Research Paper The Greek
Oedipus 3 Essay, Research Paper The Greek tragedy of Oedipus illustrates dramatic irony through Oedipus’ noble birth which is unknown to him and his fall from the throne due to his fate and excessive pride.
Oedipus Paper Essay Research Paper One of
Oedipus Paper Essay, Research Paper One of Oedipus greatest qualities as a leader was his ability to solve problems. The reason that Oedipus, not even a native of Thebes, became the king of that land was due to the great intelligence and strength shown in his defeat of the Sphinx. He was able to save the Thebans from that problem, so when the city again needs help, Oedipus is very willing to show his strength again.
Oedipus Rex Essay Research Paper There have
Oedipus Rex Essay, Research Paper There have been many tragedies throughout history, including Sophocles play Oedipus Rex. I utterly agree with Aristotle in saying that Oedipus Rex, is one such tragedy. Through the plot, character and thoughts it is evident the Oedipus Rex is a model tragedy.
Oedipus Rex Essay Research Paper Oedipus RexCharacters
Oedipus Rex Essay, Research Paper Oedipus Rex Characters in the play Oedipus the King attempt to block the horrible outcome of the gods? oracle. The first people to do so were Oedipus? mother and father, Laius and Jocasta. After hearing the unmoral and disruptive prediction, they attempted to execute their own child.
Biography Of Oedipus Essay Research Paper Oedipys
Biography Of Oedipus Essay, Research Paper Oedipys’s date of birth is unknown. He was born to Polybus and Merope, but Jocasta is his real mother. Oedipus was born in Thebes, but he spent most of his adult life in Corinth. Due to some mistakes that Oedipus makes prior to the start of the play, trouble seems to surround him later.
Oedipus Essay Research Paper Oedipus is a
Oedipus Essay, Research Paper Oedipus is a blind old man. He is the son of a former king of Thebes. His father?s name was Laius and his mother was Jocasta, the former queen. In the previous tragedy, Oedipus inadvertently killed his father and married his mother. He had four kids with his wife. Moreover, his wife/mother was going through a lot of stress so she decided to hang herself.
Oedipus Essay Research Paper OedipusEven though
Oedipus Essay, Research Paper Oedipus Even though “fate” seems to determine Oedipus’ life, he does, in fact, have a free will. His choices brought the prophecy to life. Only his decisions (not influenced by anybody) he made. Of course those decisions were in side of the limits set by fate. When Oedipus heard a prophesy that his going to kill his father and sleep with his mother he ran away, even when he new there were suspicions of him being the real son of his parents.
More Tragic Oedipus Or Antigone Essay Research
Paper Sophocles was a master of tragedy, there?s no argument there. But which of the 2 plays we?ve studied, Oedipus the King and Antigone, is the more tragic? I believe that Oedipus the King was more intensely tragic and I
A Hopeless Fate Essay Research Paper It
A Hopeless Fate Essay, Research Paper It was once said by Ralph Waldo Emmerson, Where there is no vision, a people perish. In Sophecles Greek tragedy, Oedipus Rex, the oracle advised Oedipus that he was tomurder his father and marry his mother. As a result, Oedipus tried to change his fate. Oedipus, Jocasta, and Tiresias all demonstrated the concept of blindness in Oedipus Rex.
Fate Vs Free Will In Oedipus Essay
, Research Paper FREE WILL VS. FATE IN OEDIPUS REX The great philosopher Socrates believes that humans rule themselves with a combination of fate and free will. In Oedipus Rex a combination of fate and free will
Oedipus Rex Essay Research Paper Dear Oedipus
Oedipus Rex Essay, Research Paper Dear Oedipus Rex, In so many ways I feel very sorry for you because you?ve had to deal with the guilt of having inadvertently murdered your father and married your mother. You deserve your
The Decline Of Oedipus Essay Research Paper
The Decline of Oedipus in Oedipus Rex Oedipus began Oedipus Rex as a king, only to end the tale as a blinded beggar. Oedipus fall from his kingly status is not by accident or because of some other person. Oedipus is the only one that can be blamed for his misfortune. Oedipus character traits of haste, anger, and truthfulness are shown most clearly during his spiraling downfall where he thinks he is a simple man who knows nothing, yet knowing more than he realizes by the end of the story.
Oedipus Essay Research Paper Jocasta doesn
Oedipus Essay, Research Paper Jocasta doesn’t understand her husband’s concern about the details of Laius’ death. When she asks Oedipus why he wants to see the servant, he responds, I can hold nothing back from you, now I’ve reached this pitch of dark foreboding. Oedipus goes on to give the history of his childhood, as referenced in the fourth summary.
Blindness In Oedipus Rex Essay Research Paper
Blindness in “Oedipus the King” In Sophocles’ play, “Oedipus the King”, one of the main themes is blindness. The author uses physical blindness, as well as intellectual blindness to illustrate Oedipus’ status
Sight
& Blindness Imagery In Oedipus Rex Essay, Research Paper Sight and blindness Imagery in ?Oedipus Rex? In this play written by Sophocles called Oedipus Rex, sight/blindness imagery is used as a form of ignorance. In this play, there is allot of ignorance. Some examples of this are when Oedipus talks with Tiresias about who had killed Laius, and when he discovers the truth about his love and about his parents.
Fate Overpowers Free Will Oedipus The King
) Essay, Research Paper Concerning the question of fate vs. free will, Sophocles felt that a person has no control over the course of his life. In the play Oedipus the King, Oedipus is a great example of Sophocles’ belief that fate will control a man’s life no matter how much free will exists in the man’s heart.
Asefasdf Essay Research Paper Oedipus the King
Asefasdf Essay, Research Paper Oedipus the King by Sophocles Sophocles “Oedipus the King” is a tragic play which discusses the tragic discovery of Oedipus that he has killed his father and married his mother. The story of Oedipus (2 page)
Oedipus Rex Essay Research Paper In Sophocles 2
Oedipus Rex Essay, Research Paper In Sophocles? Oedipus Rex, dramatic irony is often present in Oedipus? long speeches. Oedipus constantly sees things incorrectly, and is in denial that he
Oedipus The King 3 Essay Research Paper
Oedipus the King Ankle Theory The classification of Oedipus the King as a tragedy requires it to meet certain criteria pertaining to the main character, Oedipus. Oedipus must have no control over the situation which he is in, he has to have been harmed by someone for doing nothing or doing what is just, and he must come to an end in which he is utterly lost, or dies without resolving the situation.
Macbeth And Oedipus Rex Essay Research Paper
Macbeth and Oedipus Rex Analysis Oedipus Rex and Macbeth are both tragic plays. They have many similarities and differences. Some of them are in the role of fate, the characters, and the setting and the
Oedipus Rex Essay Research Paper Oedipus RexIn
Oedipus Rex Essay, Research Paper Oedipus Rex In the story of Oedipus Rex, Sophocles portrays the main character, Oedipus, as a good natured person that has bad judgment and frailty. Oedipus