Oedipus Rex Essay
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Many Greek myths and legends have a valuable point or lesson which is revealed when told.
Each individual who hears it obtains a different meaning from what the author tries to throw out
to the audience or reader. In Oedipus Rex, one part of The Oedipus Cycle by Sophocles,
there is a lesson of allowing life to take its course instead of steering it to your own advantage or
trying to prevent it from coming true as Oedipus and parents have attempted to do so. The
Gods have predicted what shall happen and it is to remain that way no matter what actions are
taken to avoid it.
What the gods speak of will happen in due time. Oedipus fate was spoken before his
birth to his parents, Laios and Iocaste. Apollo thus said that Oedipus shall kill his father and
then marry his mother. An oracle was reported to Laios once that his doom would be death at
the hands of his own son-born of his flesh and of [Iocaste] . . .It is God himself who can show
us what he wills, in his own way. 1 As told before, it has happened indirectly. Laios and
Iocaste try to prevent this encounterment by giving Oedipus away at birth to a shepherd from
Corinth that took the baby from the king to his own country.. As time passed by and Oedipus
grew up he was mocked by others accusing him of false parents. When he confronted his
parents they simply said that those who speak are fools and should not be taken seriously. In
search for the truth he went to the gods himself.
I went to the shrine at Delphi the God dismissed my question . . .
that I should lie with my own mother, breed children from whom
all men would turn their eyes; and that I should be my father s
murderer 2
On the way to another country Oedipus stop by a three way intersection on the highway where
he was encountered by a chariot. A herald belonging to the chariot forced him off the road
where when Oedipus saw the passenger as he tower over him. As the passenger
2
did this Oedipus took a swing at him and made him reach his death. This is the death of the
King of Thebes, Laios, Oedipus true birth father.3 The fate of King Laios death was not
known to the murderer at the time of the death nor did the king expect to die on his trip out of
Thebes. Both the king and Oedipus try to avoid confronting each other trying to not make the
prophecy come true. Laios first attempt was by sending Oedipus away at birth which is not
successful for Oedipus leaves upon hearing the oracle in Corinth and tries to make it his matter
not kill his parents. for all these years I kept cleared of Corinth, and no harm has come-though
it would have been sweet to see my parents again 4 This has been the goal of Oedipus upon
hearing the oracle.
The second part of the oracle stated that Oedipus would marry his own flesh and blood,
his mother. As Oedipus reaches Thebes, the country is face with a severe problem. Oedipus is
able to save Thebes from the Sphinx which caused a drought in nature and in the children that
death took before it breathed the fresh air of the earth. For this great accomplishment Oedipus
is named King of Thebes and is given the queen s hand, Iocaste, in marriage. The hand of his
wife is the hand of his birth mother which Apollo has stated in the oracle. Without knowing that
he is married to his mother Oedipus and Iocaste ruled Thebes and expanded their family with
sons and daughters. your father . . .sowed the womb of her who bore him. 5 The prophecy
was confirmed when Oedipus went to further question his parent s background.
What has brought one prophecy to light is brought about by another prophecy being
told and researched that could not be easily fulfilled. Before Oedipus discovered the truth about
his past he is confronted with another prophecy sent by Creon from Apollo. Apollo wants to
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