The Hubris of Oedipus in Oedipus the King Essay

In the scene where Oedipus sends for Tiresias, the blind prophet, Tiresias says to him, “So, you mock my blindness? Let me tell you this. You with your precious eyes, you’re blind to the corruption of your life” (Oedipus Rex Line 468). It is pretty ironic actually, that a blind man can clearly see Oedipus’s corruption when, Oedipus himself is left unaware. In most cases of hubris behavior the individual believes they are so prideful, they actually believe they’re on the same level with God. It is clear that Oedipus has the same perspective of his life, and of his power. Hubris behavior is a tragic flaw, in which the individual is only setting themselves up in order to fall.

Hubris is Oedipus's tragic flaw. He is now overly full of himself because: he rescued the city of Thebes from the Sphinx, people admire him, the citizens worship him as if he were an idol, the citizens think of him as their hero, and the Thebans have such a high esteem for him, that they made him King. One instance that proves he is filled with overbearing pride is when he proclaims, "I, Oedipus, a name that all men know." (8) This statement also brings about irony. It is ironic because his name will be remembered and well-known everywhere--as a polluter, the

Oedipus perceives such acts as offerings for him which causes him to think he is greater than those who surround him. The townspeople pray and worship Oedipus, allowing him to consider himself their "world-renowned king" (Sophocles 10). With the belief of having such high power, Oedipus believes he can determine his own fate. This causes him to be blind of his past and oblivious to the facts. With the mindset of being higher than everyone, Oedipus' arrogance blinds him intellectually from figuring out who his real parents are. Instead of analyzing his childhood in attempt to figure out the truth, he does not question the past and sprites those who challenge him. Oedipus is aware that when he was three days old his "ankles [were] pierced and pinned/ together, gave it to be cast away/ by others on the trackless mountain side" (Sophocles 726-28). He is also aware that the oracle of Thebes declared that one day he would "slay his father and wed his mother" (Sophocles 1). However, his hubris personality prevents him from realizing that he, in fact, is Laius's son. Instead, Oedipus refer to himself as "Fortunes favorite

Let me grant your prayers,” (line 245). He believes that he is so great that he can solve problems and help better than the gods could. Oedipus does not even want the people to bother with praying when they can go to him. In the text he compares himself to the gods either being their equal or even better, a demigod at best. Also, Oedipus speaks on behalf of the gods, especially Apollo, even though he is not a prophet or priest. He calls himself “Apollo’s champion.” When he curses the person who murdered Laius he says it is because it is what Apollo wants. However, his people do not truly see him the same way Oedipus sees himself. “You cannot equal the gods, your children know that…,” says the priest to

Hubris is defined by the Webster-Miriam dictionary as “Exaggerated pride or confidence” (Miriam-Webster Dictionary). In Oedipus The King by Sophocles, the onslaught of pain assailing the protagonist is a result of his tragic flaws. Sophocles often used a characters’ flaw to influence the outcome or future of the hero. Oedipus' hubris influences him to fulfill the oracle and further intensify his punishment from the Gods. Oedipus' pride is an essential characteristic throughout the play. Even before Oedipus came into power as the King of Thebes he allowed his arrogance to control his judgment and reign over his actions.

Oedipus is referred to as “Everyman” because he represents both the wise and the foolish people. He also represents pathos and hubris. For example, he and Tiresias accuse each other of blindness and arrogance; blindness of the truth and excessive pride. People of Thebes look up to Oedipus as somewhat of a God and savior, however hey do not directly compare him to a God. Therefore they expect him to heal the city’s wound.

I will speak for your own element, not mine” (Sophocles-69), and yet he still sounded proud at that moment. As he laments his ignorance, he states that the God of Plagues, Apollo was the cause of all of this. Oedipus finally respects the power of fate and the gods, he understood and knew what he was doing when he said “Cast me out quickly as you can, away from Thebes, to a place where no one, no living human being, will cross my path” (Sophocles-70), this is going to a point where Oedipus is seeking atonement, seeking for exile. accepting what is coming to

He obviously knew his heroic status when he greeted the citizens of Thebes before the palace doors saying, "I thought it wrong, my children, to hear the truth / from others, messengers. Here I am myself- / you all know me, the world knows of my fame: / I am Oedipus.” (ll. 6-9) In this such passage, Oedipus proves that he is guilty of hubris, being too sure of himself, too confident in his own powers, and a little under mindful of the gods.

In Oedipus the king, by Sophocles, Oedipus arrogance and pride, combined with Oedipus’s willpower and concern for his subjects, compel him to search for the murderer of Laius and in turn, unknowingly discover the truth of his own life. Ultimately, Sophocles suggests, had he controlled his curiosity and arrogance, Oedipus would have lived his life peacefully without the acknowledgement of the fulfilment of the infamous prophecy about him. As soon as Oedipus enters the stage, he brings an stench of arrogance along with him. When Oedipus enters the altar, the citizens are praying to him to save Thebes; however, the priest reminds Oedipus, “you cannot equal the gods... But we do rate you first of men” (161).

murder. He tells Creon "you will find me a firm ally, and together we shall exact vengeance for our land and for the god?And with the help of God, we shall find success ? or ruin" (5) He knew what his duty was and that was what he wanted to follow. He needed to save thousands of people and Oedipus would go to any means to save them. This is an innocent person and a trustworthy King. "My words are uttered as a stranger to the act, a stranger to its tale"(7). He tells us that he cannot solve the "riddle the very skill that proved him great" (11). He cannot do it alone. Why is this? If he is so guilty of this crime and he is the "murderer that he seeks" then why does he go on with the search? (10). The reason is that he does not know that he has caused the grief for his people. He does not know that he is the murderer. "Ask what you wish. I am not the murderer.", is what he uttered to Creon because he believed that he was not the murderer (14). The fault behind Oedipus? fate lies partly on Apollo and on the prophecy that he was told. Had he been blind to that prophecy he would have remained in Corinth and ruled as a true ruler. He would not have wed his mother nor murdered his father. But why do these things happen to Oedipus? Why when he tries to be the best does he get the worst? His fate led him there. He was doomed to follow the prophecy at

Because of this god complex he has created, he finds the idea of putting Thebes, the city he is the savior of, in peril impossible to him. Oedipus’ hubris makes him create an image of himself that does no wrong because he is this savior of Thebes. This mentality magnifies the fall of Oedipus and emphasizes the tragedy by this untouchable mentality. It acts as a

Oedipus showed good qualities as a King. He was a good leader and has been their ruler for a long time. He inherited the kingdom at birth. Oedipus showed bravery and confidence when fighting. He has saved Thebes from a curse stating “Her I am myself the world knows my fame”. When the citizens of Thebes beg him to do something about the plague, Oedipus had already showed he cared by sending Creon to the oracle at Delphi for advice. He listens to his people and their problems. Oedipus cares deeply for his country. Oedipus is an honest man because he stated if he was the one to kill the king, then he would be punished as if he were anyone

Oedipus starts off the play with a lot of self-admiration and haughtiness. He makes himself seem so highly honored by the people as if he was a savior chosen by the gods, and he was chosen by the gods; however, not for the reason he believes. The audience notices how he makes egoistic statements such as,”I Oedipus whom all men call great” (Barstow 1). “But I came, Oedipus, who knew nothing, and I stopped her. I solved the riddle by my wit alone” (Barstow

Through Oedipus’ charisma and past actions he is able to hold onto popular democratic power within Thebes. Sophocles’ extends Oedipus’ belief in himself to behave as though his authority is greater than the Gods, showing Oedipus’ ignorance of his role in society. Despite this, Oedipus uses the Gods as a political tool to align himself more with the people.This behaviour is shown when Oedipus says that “your prayers shall be answered with help and release if you obey me” to the Chorus after the solution to the pestilence is revealed. Oedipus is claiming that he can fulfill the role of the Gods better than the Gods. This sentiment is furthered when he states that the citizens are “duty bound to me, and to the god, and to our plague-tormented country”. This is indicative of him placing his role before the Gods and also shows his assumption that the population are duty bound to him despite their ability to remove Oedipus as their leader. Through this, Sophocles’ shows Oedipus as machiavellian but naive and expresses the confidence that Oedipus has in his authority over the city. The Chorus’ lack of a strong reaction against Oedipus’ remarks shows that Oedipus’ self confidence is founded in genuine strong faith in him as a leader by the population of Thebes. Sophocles’ furthers Oedipus’ character development by making him unreliant on the Gods for counsel, guiding

Oedipus possessed an excessive amount of pride, otherwise known to the Greeks as hubris. This was necessary for