Oedipus The King Essay

Finally, the way in which Oedipus the King can be perceived as universal the best is in character traits that are alike in both modern people and Oedipus himself. Oedipus is a very stubborn person. He believes that Tiresias has not told him the truth and was sent by Creon to lie to him, even after Tiresias proves that he can actually see into the future. Modern day people can also be very stubborn, especially if they know or think that they are wrong about something. Oedipus also shows great intelligence. He saved the entire city of Thebes by answering the Sphinx's riddle and his reward was the crown and the queen's hand in marriage (Meyer, 987). He ruled the city fairly and justly, and shows his intelligence once again when he

"Oedipus the King" written by Sophocles, is a powerful Greek tragedy story. The protagonist, Oedipus is a heroic mythical king who had it all. Oedipus pursues to find the true answers to his identity and destiny, while at the same time trying to avoid fulfilling his destiny.

Oedipus must act as a true and loyal king contrary to what his ignorance and predetermined fate has brought him.

In the citizen’s eyes, Oedipus is seen as a good leader. He demonstrates great leadership through several events. When the Oedipus learned of the plague, he “sent away [his] brother-in-law, son of Menoeceus, Kreon, to Pythian Apollo’s shrine” to hear from Apollo on “what [he] might do or say to save our city.” He notified the people that he understands their pain and suffering for the “soul inside [him]

Oedipus first demonstrated his ability to be a good leader in his helping the city escape the Sphinx.  He continued his leadership in the same manner, doing good things for the city and winning esteem in the eyes of the citizens.  The premise for the book is that he was trying to rid the city of a second plague.  He showed no hesitation to give it his best effort, saying "Indeed I'm willing to give all that you may need; I would be very hard should I not pity suppliants like these" (Sophocles page #). Displaying this willingness to help his citizens and earning such lofty acclaim as being called "great" or "greatest," Oedipus could not have been a poor ruler or a tyrant.  If Oedipus had ruled his subjects poorly then they would not have addressed him as "great," so he should be viewed as a good leader, one who cared for his charges, one who ruled justly.  In this light, Aristotle would have judged Oedipus to be a good man, or more precisely, a good ruler because Oedipus' labor was "for the benefit of others," one of Aristotle's characteristics of a good ruler.

Once Oedipus is made aware of the dire situation in Thebes he responsibly, but paternalistically assumes to be the savior, even though as David McDonald states, “The Messenger’s attempt to bring good news brings disaster…” (McDonald, pg. 148) Oedipus' dialogue, "Oh my children, the new blood of ancient Thebes, why are you here? Huddling at my altar, praying before me…" (p. 617 ln. 1-4) suggests that Oedipus feels highly regarded, almost a divinity. In addressing his

At the beginning Oedipus is characterized as a great leader. For example, he solves the riddle of the Sphinx, which is the winged female monster that terrorized the city (Sophocles 487). Here we can see how Oedipus is clever and smart. In result the people of Thebes respect him for his cleverness and reward him as King. People even look at him as being almighty when it comes to handling problems such as, when there is a plague that is killing people, animals and made women give birth to nothing. They knew he would help as long as he was aware of the situation. “We’ve come because you are the best man at handling trouble or confronting the gods” (Sophocles 487). This statement shows how people depend on him and look at him as a great leader. It also shows how he is a man of action and looks after his people as a king should. With that being said, he is told to find the killer of Laios and either banish them or kill them to stop the plague. Likewise, he did what he is commanded to do, he obeys the god and search for the killer that killed the previous king. Furthermore, he follows instruction and is concerned for himself and the people of Thebes. “My heart grieves for you, for myself, and for our city” (Sophocles 487).

“Oh my children, the new blood of ancient Thebes, why are you here?” said Oedipus when addressing his people during his first appearance (1-2). Flamboyant, yes, well in Oedipus the King, the main character Oedipus is a boastful and pompous character faced with troublesome pasts and future predicaments. In actuality, he is king of Thebes and the rightful ruler, but when a plague strikes he is quickly led into a misfortune of events that ultimately leads him to dig his eyes out in attempt to relieve him from the truth he discovers. It then becomes a revelation to distinguish the characteristic fault which leads Oedipus through such tragedy. Only to become apparent, Oedipus’s excessive pride is the main culprit behind his tragic ending. In

Throughout the play we find that Oedipus, the protagonist of this Greek tragedy, is tested by life in a number of ways. To those in Athens who watched the performance of Oedipus the King, Oedipus appeared to be the embodiment of a perfect Athenian. He is self-confident, intelligent, and strong-willed. Ironically, these are the very traits which bring about his tragic discovery. He is portrayed as a character of

Though Oedipus made the mistake of not listening to his citizens, therefore prompting his own downfall, he is a genuine king that wants the best for his people, while Creon is a selfish ruler that refuses to listen to others because of his own hubris, allowing for a more distinct communication of Sophocles’ warning against tyrannical ruling in Antigone. As Oedipus begins his investigation of King Laius’ murder, his authentic concern for the well-being of his citizens becomes apparent. He says to the citizens of Thebes, “My heart is heavy with the city’s pain, my own, and yours together” (page 50). The fact that Oedipus is inflicting the citizen’s pain from the previous king’s murder on

All humans crave power, however, only few possess it. Many people with power are held at a god-like status but are actually inherently greedy and corrupt. In the play Oedipus the King, Oedipus falls into bad fortune because of his thirst for power. Oedipus's biggest strength ultimately becomes the thing that destroys him, which makes him a tragic hero. In tragedy, “the forces of the universe and the character’s error come crashing together at a fatal moment, causing disaster” (Gillespie).

In order to define good rulership according to the Ancient Greeks, the best sources are the primary texts The Iliad and The Odyssey, written by Homer. The Iliad is Homer’s account of the Trojan War, while The Odyssey is his account of Odysseus’ voyage home after the war. He writes these epics from the third person omniscient point of view, which allows the reader to better understand the thoughts and feelings of all the characters. The vast majority of the main characters in both of the epics are in some sort of position of power, thus the reader is allowed tremendous insight on Homer’s views on good rulership. Homer wrote about many qualities, which made the kings of the epics good rulers, but to better understand what makes a good king; it

A leader is one who knows the way, shows the way, and goes the way. John C. Maxwell. Have you ever wondered about the common characteristics in which all leaders share? In The Odyssey by Homer, the main character Odysseus, and his crew, are trying to reach their homeland of Ithaca. They are assisted by the king of Aiolia, Aiolos Hippotades, who tries to help then reach their homeland. However, they are also confronted by many challenged including the Laestrygones of Lamos, who are cannibals and demolish almost all of Odysseus’ fleet, and Circe from the island of Aeaea, who turns his men into pigs. Odysseus even is tempted by his own crew mate to leave his crew behind. Nonetheless, Odysseus maintains the qualities of a good leader throughout the whole book by being courageous and showing integrity.

The personality of the characters of Oedipus and Odysseus portray the ancient greek view of how a person should model themselves as to be a hero. In Oedipus Rex, Oedipus says, “Sirrah, what mak'st thou here? Dost thou presume, To approach my doors, thou brazen-faced rogue, (. . .) Come, answer this, didst thou detect in me, Some touch of cowardice or witlessness, That made thee undertake this enterprise (. . .) The serpent stealing on me in the dark, Or else too weak to scotch it when I saw. This _thou_ art witless seeking to possess, Without a following or friends the crown, A prize that followers and wealth must win.”(530-545). In this passage Oedipus is revealed to be drunk with power and questions his subject’s loyalty at every turn which becomes a theme

The characters in a novel or play are attributed certain characteristics by the author. The opinions one might form of a character are based on these; therefore, the characteristics suggested by an author are intrinsic to the reader having a complete and subjective understanding of a work.  Characteristics are often displayed through a character s actions, in what is said about them, and what they themselves say, which shall be the focus of this essay.  Both Oedipus, in Sophocles'  King Oedipus  and Odysseus, in The Odyssey of Homer, oftenare spoken of by others, but their own words are telling, as certain emotions and traits can be seen.  Traits of a character can often be