Max Johnson Ms.

Dullard English 11B February 3, 2013 Analysis Paper The story of Oedipus Rex is a classic of Athenian literature that clearly displays how the tragedy of the loss of innocence can often have drastic consequences. One example of this theme can be seen in Oedipuss realization of the prophecy coming true. The innocence that Oedipus lost resulted in him blinding himself and being exiled from the land. Another way that the theme of lost innocence is clearly illustrated is the fact that Jocasta murdered herself after realizing that the prophecy came true. She realized that Oedipus killed Laius and that by her marrying Oedipus the prophecy came to fruition. She couldnt bear this, and in her anguish she killed herself. The story of Oedipus is possibly one of the greatest examples of tragedy, and it fully deserves this title. Oedipus found out that he fathered children by the same woman whom he was fathered from; on top of this, he found out that he killed his own father. This tragedy is possibly one of the greatest in all of history, and as terrible as Oedipuss situation is, Oedipus Rex will go down in history as one of the greatest works in literature of all time.