Oedipus Rex, by Sophocles - 822 Words

â€Å"My parents are really well intended, and I think their way of dealing with things is denial and guilt. Nobody wanted to talk about it. But all I did was blame myself.† This quote, from actress Teri Hatcher about her own childhood also relates to Oedipus’s situation from Oedipus Rex by Sophocles. Sophocles‘ Oedipus Rex tells the story of a monarch named Oedipus whowho becomes the unfortunate victim of circumstances beyond his control. In Oedipus Rex, Oedipus‘ downfall is not a result of excessive hubris or his actions, but rather his parents’ disgraceful actions and uncontrollable aspects of fate. Oedipus’ parents actions and decisions are a major element in Oedipus’ tragic downfall. Before Oedipus is born, Laius and Jocasta, the†¦show more content†¦The driver struck Oedipus to get him to move out of the way, but this enraged the young man, who continued to fight and kill the driver and the man he was transporting - Ki ng Laius.† (Oedipus 1) At this revelation, Oedipus discovers that he fulfilled the prophecy of the Oracle, and blinds himself in his grief. Laius and Jocasta should never have abandoned Oedipus on Mount Cithaeron. If Jocasta and Laius had raised Oedipus instead of Polybus and Merope, then Oedipus wouldn’t have inadvertently killed his father or unknowingly married his mother and the prophecy foretold by the Oracle at Delphi would never have come true. Oedipus could not control the fact that his parents abandoned him on Mount Cithaeron nor did he intentionally marry his mother. Jocasta and Laius and Oedipus‘ tragic downfall by trying to prevent the prophecy from coming true and allowing their own selfishness get in the way of doing what was best for their child. They were so concerned about their own lives that they did not care about Oedipus and cruelly cast him aside. Laius and Jocasta’s ineptness as parents are primary causes of Oedipus‘ defea t; Oedipus was in no way responsible for his parents actions and decisions. Random acts of fate also play an important role in Oedipus‘ tragedy. Fate is also an importantShow MoreRelatedOedipus Rex, Sophocles1252 Words   |  6 PagesOedipus the ideal Tragic Hero Kelli Richards Liberty University Abstract In the play Oedipus Rex, Sophocles portrays Oedipus who is also the main character, as a good- natured, beautiful, noble yet narcissistic person who has a lapse of judgment and fall from power. Throughout the play Oedipus makes a few profound decisions for which he is condemned to plentiful suffering;Read MoreOedipus Rex by Sophocles683 Words   |  3 PagesThe play Oedipus Rex is a Greek tragedy written by Sophocles during a time when Athens was the major power of the world. During this period, people believed that the Gods had control over their destiny. The play itself opens up as a detective story, because there is murder, and mystery surrounding the murder, as well as solving the mystery as the central theme and ultimate conclusion of the story. A plague has befallen the city of Thebes and so King Oedipus sends his in-law Creon to the Oracle ofRead MoreEssay on Sophocles Oedipus Rex1369 Words   |  6 PagesSophocles Oedipus Rex As the plot in Sophocles famous play Oedipus Rex unfolds, many aspects of the relationship between ancient Greeks and their gods are revealed. 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For example, the entire reason Oedipus from Oedipus Rex by Sophocles became king of Thebes is because he defeated the Sphinx that was guarding the city, saving the citizens (info from the backstory). On page 11, a senator makes the comment, â€Å"if his bosom holds a grain of fear, curses like yours he never will abide.† The reader can assume the Athenians valued bravery because the senator makes a comment against