Justin Prine
Professor Messerschmidt
Lit1000
8 October 2014
The Outbreak of Plague in Thebes During the course of Oedipus The King, Oedipus sets off on a journey to free himself from a fate that he just can not stand the thought of. Along the journey Oedipus comes upon the city of Thebes. This city has just had their king (Laius) killed and now Creon is under control of the city. Oedipus is given the thrown after he helped free the city from a sphinx that has been been guarding anyone that plans on going in and out of the city. Oedipus is seen to be a hero because no one could solve the riddle that would get rid of the sphinx until he arrived at the city. As Oedipus enters the city he starts to realize the major plague and disease in
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As we all know after achieving the thrown in Thebes Oedipus marries his mother (Jocasta) and has kids with her. This so called link between plague and sexuality is definitely shown here because there is incest in the family even though it is not realized. Looking at this play from a western point of view we could easily determine that the incest that is going on has caused this plague. One of the simplest ways of determining why this plague has struck Thebes is the fact that it has been caused by the gods. The possible reason that the gods are causing this plague to break out is because Oedipus has tried to escape his fate that he will kill his father an marry his mother. The fact that Oedipus is trying to defeat what the gods have planned would be highly insulting to the gods and they want his to be punished in the form of plague. Once Oedipus reaches out to the gods by sending his brother-in-law, Creon, to Delphi he finally realizes that he has to bring the previous king 's death to justice. So far in the play Oedipus still thinks that he has beat the gods and avoided his fate. This arrogance could possibly have angered the gods causing the many bad things to come to Oedipus 's city. By trying to defeat the fate that the gods have given him he has in turn hurt the whole city. Now keep in mind Oedipus does not realize that he is the reason for the plague but nevertheless is still responsible for it. Sophocles has definitely created a link between
He goes out on his search to find the murderer of King Laios, and he does. Unfortunately, it was himself, but he was still able to reveal who did this horrible crime. "Oedipus promises to save the city and drive out the plague" (Sophocles 10). He is successful because he was able to find the murderer of his father, but it turned out to be him. Oedipus is able to save his city by banishing him from feeds. I did this punished himself because he accidentally murders his own father; King Laios which he did not know was his father at the time. Oedipus is able to save his city by banishing himself from Thebes. Oedipus then punishes himself because he accidentally murders his father and then marries his mother. The innocent people of Thebes are now free from the plague, which is what the goal of the search for justice was. The search is successful because when he goes on the surge, he has a goal. The goal is to find the murderer and lift the curse, and he does just that. Oedipus is successful in a search for
The Greek drama “Oedipus The King” evidently leads to the unveiling of a tragedy. Oedipus, the protagonist of the play uncovers his tragic birth story and the curse he had been baring his whole life. Oedipus is notorious for his personal insight that helped him defeat Sphinx, which lead him to becoming the king of Thebes. He is admired by the people of Thebes and is considered to be a mature, inelegant and a rational leader. From his birth, his story began with a prophecy that Oedipus would grow up to kill his father and marry his mother. Through out the play numerous people, who tell him of his unknown past, visit Oedipus. Blind to the truth he casts them away until a blind man named Therisis gives a sight of truth to Oedipus. As Oedipus learns the truth he realizes the great evil his life carries. After finding his wife and also mother hung in her bedroom, Oedipus blinds himself with the gold pins that held Jocasta’s robe. Oedipus blind to the truth is finally able to see when the old blind man visits him and tells him the truth about his life. Both metaphorically and physically sight plays a significant role in understanding the irony of a blind man seeing the truth while Oedipus who isn’t blind doesn’t seem to the truth that’s right in front of him.
“You came and by your coming saved our city, freed us from the tribute which we paid of old to the Sphinx, cruel singer”(39-41), This tells us Oedipus’ pasts and how his insight helped him become king of Thebes. “Not twice you shall say calumnies like this and stay unpunished”(417-418), Here Oedipus claims that Teiresias accusing him of the murder is wrong and impossible. Due to his ignorance, Oedipus believes that Creon and Teiresias are plotting to overthrow him from the throne. Even later in the play there is a point when he absentmindedly remarks, "Strange, hearing you just now . . . my mind wandered, my thoughts racing back and forth”(800-802), where he is maybe considering that he may actually be the murderer. Yet Oedipus does not blame himself for the plague of the city, instead he tries to place the burden onto others as he continues his investigation, blindly trusting his own superior ability while ignoring the obvious evidence that surrounds him. Continuing the metaphor of sight and blindness, Sophocles uses it to shows how Oedipus is unwilling to accept his true fate and is blinded, and ignorant to his past actions. This also brings about irony due to the fact that Oedipus was made famous in Thebes for his keen insight, by solving the riddle of the Sphinx, but is unable to clearly see his current
The play opens in the middle of Thebes. Oedipus exits his castle, to be met by almost the entire kingdom. Oedipus knows immediately that something is wrong and it is this singular event that paves the way for the subsequent events that lead him to his downfall. Everyone-young and old, sick and healthy- had gathered in the middle of town seeking deliverance from an unknown evil. This evil is quickly determined to be a plague that had ravaged the land. The people of Thebes are highly religious as stated in “So, with the help of God,/ We shall be saved -Or else indeed we are lost “(148-149) The plague itself was interpreted as a punishment inflicted by the gods, to get the people of Thebes to drive out the
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).
The city of Thebes has been cursed by a plague caused by an unclean being that murdered Laius. While in despair, Oedipus cursed
plague of Thebes, a historical epidemic in Sophocles' Oedipus Rex." Emerging Infectious Diseases, 18(1): pp. 153-157. Web. Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3310127/. [Accessed on 24 September 2012].
When Oedipus stated “I know you are all sick, yet there is no one of you, sick though you are, as sick as myself. Your several sorrows each have single scope and touch but one of you. My spirit groans for the city and myself and you at once.” On page 471, lines 68-73, he is talking about how he is also sick, just not physically like the rest of Thebes. He isn’t happy in his current situation and he has to put on a brave face and find a cure for the plague. This ties back into the unhappy life and fate of Oedipus because he tries many things in order to get Thebes back to its healthy state, but he is unaware of the sacrifices he will have to make in order to get things back to normal. He is unmindful of his own fate and is in denial of what his situation
When he first speaks to the citizens of Thebes, he shows a side of himself that cares about the city and its people. “…my spirit / Groans for the city, for myself, for you…” (I. Prologue. 65-66), says Oedipus. He shows that he really does want what’s best for everyone. But then, he goes and insults the psychic, Teiresias, when Teiresias tells him that he is King Laius’ killer and the source of the plague. Says Oedipus, “You sightless, witless, senseless, mad old man!” (I. 1. 356). He refuses to believe that he is the source of his peoples’ troubles. As one A.E. Haigh said, “[Oedipus] catches at each hint, and pursues each clue, with a light and cheerful heart…” But unfortunately, he doesn’t stay so light and cheerful. He shows all sides of himself throughout the story, which really helps the reader stay intrigued with Oedipus and the story as a whole.
Oedipus’ dedication about fighting the plague and controlling fate demonstrates that he is heroic. After the priest lets Oedipus know about the plague on the city of Thebes, Oedipus says, “ I sent Menoeceus’ son Creon, Jocasta’s brother, to Apollo, to his Pythian temple, that he might learn there by what act or word I could save this city” (Pg.13, L.69-73). Oedipus’ full attention is about finding information about the plague. Oedipus displays commitment in helping the citizens in his town by doing everything in his power to defeat the plague. Oedipus’ commitment is presented clearly and the citizens respect him for his actions and view him as a hero. Next, after Oedipus talks to an oracle and learns his fate about killing his father and marrying his mother, he says, “ when I heard this I fled” (Pg. 45, L. 794). Oedipus left Corinth to try to change his destiny, and entered the city of Thebes. As Oedipus entered Thebes, a Sphinx was eating the citizens and to win the hand of Jocasta, he answered the riddle. Soon after the Sphinx left, Oedipus was crowned king and was known as the hero of Thebes because he saved them from the vicious Sphinx. Lastly, after Oedipus finds out he is the cause of the plague, he says “ Take me away, and haste-to a place out of the way! Take me away, my friends, the greatly miserable, the most accursed, whom God too hates above all men on earth” (Pg.69, L. 1340-1343). Oedipus is asking Creon to exile him from the city. Oedipus feels really guilty and does not want to be seen by anyone so he wants to leave. Also Oedipus asks Creon to exile him so the plague will stop harming the city because he cares
Throughout the play Oedipus is driven by many factors to find the killer of King Laius, and while on that mission, he inquires much about his past and himself. One of his main strives is to find out his true identity. The city of Thebes is struck by a plague due to the death of King Laius. The Oracle of Delphi states that in order to rid of the plague, Oedipus has to commit himself to finding the murderer of the dead King Laius. Oedipus shows allegiance by going on a
In the tragic play, Oedipus Rex, the Gods and religion greatly influence the social structure which in turn has a profound effect upon how the events unfold. Oedipus is the head of the state. There is a direct parallel in the demise of his household and city state which eventually comes to a full circle to destroy him. Even though Oedipus is praised by his people for being a responsible and honest king, he possesses a major character flaw in his attitude towards the gods which causes the tragic torture he faces in the end. Over the duration of the play, there is a strong sense of contamination towards the state, because it is facing a time of plague, and towards the leader Oedipus, because he is unknowingly in a relationship with his own
Initially, Oedipus’ oversized ego and his ambition to preserve his reputation as a great leader hinders him from seeing the truth. Oedipus’ massive self-pride is displayed in his first speech when he states, “Here I am myself-- / you all know me, the world knows my fame: / I am Oedipus” (7-9). A terrible plague is going through the city of Thebes, and Oedipus is motivated to pull Thebes out of the plague. However, Oedipus wants to save Thebes from the plague for his own benefits, not for the good of his people--despite the initial sympathy he pours on them. He wants to save Thebes to make his legacy greater. Oedipus’ desire to make his legacy greater, makes his ego bigger. However, Oedipus’ arrogance ends up blinding him from the truth and eventually destroys his legacy as
He himself is the cause of the plague on Thebes, and yet is vowing to find the killer of Laius and exile him, unknowingly passing judgement on to himself. “You are the murder, you are the unholy defilement of this land.” (Oedipus 23) Angry and unbelieving when Teiresias accuses him of the crime, he jumps to the conclusion that Teiresias and Creon are against him. As possible as that explanation may be, Oedipus maintains it with irrational intensity, not even bothering to investigate before he decides to have Creon put to death. Every action of his is performed rashly, his killing of Laius, his investigation of the murder, his violent blinding of himself, and his demand on being exiled. He is a man of pride and passion who is intent on serving Thebes, but he does not have tragic stature until the evidence of his guilt begins to
When Oedipus was young he went to a Pythican oracle and he forecasted “That I was doomed to sleep with my mother, become murderer to my own father” (Sophocles line 790) To prevent this Oedipus fled Corinth so as the prophecy would not come true. He ended up the king of Thebes after solving the riddle of the Sphinx. Now, the priest said the whole country calls Oedipus a hero for saving the city and freeing its people. At this point, the main character Oedipus has saved the city, but once again the city is in turmoil. A plague is causing a food shortage along with cattle and women not able to give birth to babies. Creon tells Oedipus the King, what the god says “To save the city Lord Phoebus commands that to drive out the plague