As one reads Oedipus Rex, the reader gets a look into the characteristics of the title character. Oedipus can be seen as caring, stubborn and emotional. In the beginning of the play, Oedipus is informed of the pollution that plagues the city of Thebes. Oedipus is aware and states "I have sent Creon, to Apollo's home at Pytho, so that he may learn what I should do to save this city." This shows how caring he is towards the city he rules. A person in his position would rule with Tyranny, not caring for the citizens or what plagues them.
Though caring he may be, Oedipus is quite the stubborn person when he does not agree to what others are saying. A scene between Oedipus and a prophet Tiresias sparks controversy among the palace. Tiresias explains that he is the pollution and Oedipus is angry with his accusation, stating "you live in one single night, so that you can never harm me or any other who sees the light." When placed with power, he shows that he is strong enough to rule over Thebes. However, because of this power he posses Oedipus refuses to hear what he does not want to hear. He is clearly stubborn against all points of truth revealed from Tiresias.
As the play draws to a near, Oedipus is aware of the prophecy said to him about his parents. When it is revealed of Oedipus past, he begins to breakdown. Oedipus even goes to the great beyond by gouging out his own eyes in sadness. He claims that he cannot see what he has set within his family, such as his own incest children. In an ironic twist, he has been blind to the truth and is now forced to be blind in reality. When Oedipus speaks to his two daughters he begins cry. He cries because he knows the life his children will have to live. Though be a King, Oedipus shows he has been emotional about himself and gives the reader a sense of how emotional he actually was. He now knows that deep down inside has has longed questioned who he truly was in life.
David--good structure beginning with the three qualities of Oedipus you plan to discuss and fine exemplification of each--I would only suggest that you consider making the last one more nuanced--because it is not just that he becomes emotional--he also gains insight...
ReplyDeleteHey, I really like the essay you wrote so far. I like the quote you used about Tiresias and how you connected it to Oedipus's stubbornness. I also like the way you connect different aspects of Oedipus's character and history to how he is acting and reacting during the play itself (such as his crying when he sees his children and how he is stubborn against tiresia's truthtelling)
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