OEDIPUS THE KING

Serrena Carter

Dear reader,
It may seem like Im about to fill your brain with all of this
overwhelming information but trust me, its not going to be so
overwhelming for you as it was for me. Then again it probably
wouldnt have been so overwhelming if I didnt procrastinate, but
thats another topic we wont get into right now. Im sure youve
heard of Oedipus the king. The tragic story of a king who marries
his mother(dont worry, he doesnt know its his mom) and kills his
father (he also doesnt know that its his father). Sorry if I spoiled
that twist for you, but everyone knows at least that much about the
Oedipus play. Anyways, this play is what my very descriptive and
interesting essay is going to be about. I hope you enjoy!
Sincerely,
Serrena Carter

Sophocles was well known for being the master of tragedy. It was
not a surprise when Sophocles Oedipus trilogy displayed several tragic
events. Of all the plays that survived throughout the years, the Oedipus
trilogy are the best known and often produced. Oedipus the king is
believed to have been first performed in 430 B.C.E., when Sophocles
was about sixty-five years old. The tragedy of this play starts with the
protagonist, Oedipus himself. At the beginning of the play he is admired
and independent of others. The priest says to Oedipus, O mighty king,
we turn to you (Sophocles p.7) displaying how the people of the city
worships him. Oedipus has the power to curse the unknown criminal
and therefore, he is sacred. He is sure of his strength and prudence,
seen through the oracles. He is the self-assured king in search of the
murderer of Laius and after that in a quest of his own identity. After
Oedipus parents discussion with an oracle about his fear that their son
will one day kill his father and marry his mother, they send their son
away to be killed. After the shepherd did not fulfill his duty he proceeded
to tell the king and queen that he had murdered the child. Sophocles
tragic play, is a classic elegy that analyzes how fate can work more
closely than one would expect, the interpretation of human weakness,

First, Sophocles portrays the power of fate in his play, Oedipus the
king. In the play Oedipus displays his distinctive brilliance and
overconfidence in what he regards as his heroic search for the murder of
Laius. He pursues the mystery incessantly, Oedipus states Then once
more I must bring what is dark to light. (Sophocles p.9) confident that its
solution will bring him the same glory he received when he solved the
riddle from the sphinx. Oedipus self confidence leads him to believe that
he has taken care of his fate but blinds him to it and begins the fall of his
literal blindness. As follows, he becomes the victim rather than the
conqueror of fate.

In addition, Sophocles also interprets human weakness. The human

weakness that is apparent throughout the play is pride. Oedipus was a very
proud, arrogant, and confident man. Still I must rule (Sophocles p.24)
Oedipus explains after hearing the prophecy. Confident that he can still rule
the city during the fatal plague. Knowing that he had once challenged and
defeated a sphinx, oblivious to the possibility that it might kill him and having
the intelligence to solve the sphinx riddle no matter how difficult it might be,
he was prepared to fulfill the prophecy because he had such a high regard
for himself. It was this pride and confidence that drove him to explore for the
murderer of Laius. Despite his fears and having second thoughts, he
continued with his investigation confident that in the end he will succeed and
once again save the people of Thebes. Pride and self-confidence were also
the reasons why he thought he could escape his destiny and it was also why
he was willing to ignore the truth. In the end, however, Oedipus arrogance
led to his downfall.

Furthermore, the play explores how irony can affect ones life. In Oedipus: The king,
Oedipus goes on a quest to try to lift the terrible curse off of the city of Thebes. In order for him
to complete this he must find the murderer of Laius, the king before Oedipus. If Oedipus wants
to stop the plague that the murderer has brought, then the oracle claims that he must take
revenge upon whoever killed him(Sophocles p. 9). What Oedipus is not aware of is that he is
the murderer of the former king, who also happens to be his father. Oedipus ironically states
Whoever killed King Laius- Who knows?- Decide at any moment to kill me as well. By avenging
the murdered king I protect myself (Sophocles p. 10). The statement Oedipus makes is ironic

As the play goes on, Oedipus and his wife Jocasta come to
the realization that he is the murderer of the former king.
Knowing what the oracle had told her long ago about her
son killing her husband, Jocasta is in disbelief. As Jocasta
comes to understand that Oedipus is her son, she hangs
herself as a result. Oedipus did not want to believe this to
be true. He did not expect himself to be the murderer of the
former king, who was also his father. The ironic and tragic
event led Oedipus to lose almost everything he had in his
life. Thus, portraying the examination that irony can affect
ones life.
Above all, Sophocles play Oedipus the king,
illustrates how fate can work more closely than one would
expect, the interpretation of human weakness, and how
irony can affect ones life. This play is a dramatic tragedy
that was intended for an audience who was already familiar
with the Oedipus story, so they were able to experience the
effects of 'dramatic irony' as they watched in eager
anticipation for the unfortunate events to unfold. This play,
in my opinion is very enjoyable and kept me on my toes. I
would highly recommend this play to be read by older
teens who are fond of violence and enjoy a plot twist.

Oedipus Rex by Tom Lehrer, 1959

From the Bible to the popular song,
There's one theme that we find right along;
Of all ideals they hail as good,
The most sublime is motherhood.

There was a man though, who it seems,

Yes, he loved his mother like no other,

His daughter was his sister and his son was his brother.
One thing on which you can depend is,
He sure knew who a boy's best friend is.
When he found what he had done,
He tore his eyes out, one by one.
A tragic end to a loyal son
Who loved his mother.

Once carried this ideal to extremes.

He loved his mother and she loved him,
And yet his story is rather grim.

There once lived a man named Oedipus Rex,

You may have heard about his odd complex.
His name appears in Freud's index
'Cause he loved his mother.

His rivals used to say quite a bit

That as a monarch he was most unfit.
But still in all they had to admit
That he loved his mother.

So be sweet and kind to mother,

Now and then have a chat.
Buy her candy or some flowers,
Or a brand new hat.
But maybe you had better let it go at that.
Or you may find yourself with a quite complex complex
And you may end up like Oedipus.
I'd rather marry a duck-billed platypus
Than end up like old Oedipus Rex.