Oedpidus Essay

Oedpidus Essay

Many people believe that ignorance is bliss. But, in the play Oedipus Rex, Oedipus’ lack of knowledge is appalling. His evolution from an innocent   king to a tragic hero   is evidenced by his behavior from beginning to end. Although Oedipus gradually develops into a strong leader, he is blind throughout the play. He is destined to kill his father and marry his mother. When Oedipus does not listen to this oracle, things in his life turn for the worse. Letting the power get to his head causes him to gradually lose concern for his people and the things that matter most. He relates to the change of a person from one point to another, a persons   mental blindness, and humanities fear of destiny. Oedipus’ strength and confidence is soon overshadowed by hubris, but eventually he accepts the truth about himself and his destiny.
Before he encounters the truth, Oedipus is a strong and confident leader. He was able to solve the riddle of the Sphinx, but he could not solve the riddle of his own fate. Although he is an intelligent leader, he misses all the signs leading to his downfall. Oedipus is everything a polis would want in a leader. He sincerely wants to help all of his people and   figure out Laius’ murderer.   Also,   suggestions from the people were encouraged. When Creon reveals his destiny, Oedipus hides nothing explaining his openness to his people.   He states, “Speak out, speak to us all. I grieve for these, my people, far more than I fear for my own life” (Sophocles 30 ). Oedipus never considered himself higher than his people. Oedipus includes himself in the punishment by saying, “ Nor do I exempt myself from the imprecation: If, with my knowledge, house or hearth of mine receive the guilty man, upon my head lie all the curses I have laid on others” (Sophocles, 32).

As the protagonist journeys through the life as a king, his humility slowly fades as his hubris increases. Oedipus’ hubris prevents him from seeing the truth. Also, his fate was unraveling right...