King Oedipus Essay, Research Paper

In King Oedipus, Sophocles shows that Oedipus? nescient attitude is his major defect, but through finding and pride, the King learns the truth about himself, which in the terminal makes him a better individual. Oedipus says, ? And it is my grave supplication that the unknown liquidator, and his confederates, if such there be, may have on the trade name of shame for their black act, unfriended, to their life? s end. ? ( 32 ) In his ignorance, Oedipus does non see himself a suspect in the violent death of Laius, but his finding to happen the slayer will unveil the truth. Oedipus will make whatever it takes to grok the criminal. He says, I grieve for you my kids. Believe me I know all that you desire of me, all that you suffer, and while you suffer, none suffers more than I. You have your several heartaches, each for himself ; but my bosom bears the weight of my ain, and yours and all my people? s sorrows. ( 27 ) Oedipus is a proud adult male and is empathic of the people of his metropolis. He feels the hurting and torment that his people are traveling through, and is determined to happen the culprit who committed the act. No affair what the result is, he will acquire the truth. This is the start of the disclosure that Oedipus goes through from ignorance to knowledge. Oedipus begins the probe, and through a het conversation with Teiresias, he is told that he is the slayer. This hideous remark sends a moving ridge of choler over Oedipus. He claims that Teiresias is seeking to subvert him and take 2 over the throne for himself. The conversation comes to a speedy and angry arrest, and both parties go their separate ways. After the confrontation, Oedipus begins to experience a small uneasy, for the possibility that he could be the slayer ne’er entered his head. He goes to Jocasta and begins to inquire inquiries about how Laius was killed. She tries to state him that Laius was killed by robbers outside the metropolis of Thebes at a topographic point where three roads met. The narrative concerns Oedipus because he recalls killing a adult male, out of self-defence, at a topographic point that sounds similar to the topographic point that Jocasta describes. He is told by Jocasta that there is a courier who knows the truth, and could give him the information that he

needs, so the man is summoned. Through a conversation with the messenger, Oedipus finds out that he isn?t the son of Polybus, which he had been told all along. He can?t believe what he hears and he shouts, ?Let all come out! However vile! However base it be, I must unlock the secret of my birth. To the woman…is shamed by my low origin…I shall not be shamed …. I ask to be no other man than that I am, and will know who I am.?( 55) Oedipus is emphatic about finding out the truth about his birth and the murder case. He must know if he is the killer. The revelation continues to unfold. Oedipus is past the stage of denial, and is now in the stage of inquisition. He wants to know the facts, whereas before, he didn?t want to know because he thought he already had the answer. This revelation shows how strong his determination is and how it is starting to change him from an unenlightened man to an informed man. Now Oedipus is in dire need of the truth, and finally he gets the truth. He finds out that he is in fact, the son of Jocasta and Laius. Shocked at the magnitude of the crime that he has committed, he runs into the palace and screams, ? Alas, All out! All known, no more concealment! O light! May I never look at you again, revealed as I am, sinful in my begetting, sinful in marriage, sinful in shedding 3 blood!? (58). He takes full responsibility for his actions and is enraged about the acts that he has committed. His pride is now gone. All that he has accomplished is worth nothing to him anymore. The revelation is complete and Oedipus is now a knowledgeable man. Oedipus has changed for the better. His ignorant attitude led him to think that he could not have been the killer, but through his sense of pride and determination he discovered his true self. He thought that he had a perfect life, but after the truth was revealed, he realized that he had nothing at all. He showed this by saying to his children, ? Children, there is much that you will understand when you are older; you cannot bear it now, but in your prayers ask this; that you may live not more nor less than well, and so live better than did your father.? (67) Although Oedipus had lost the respect of his people he had gained self-respect and knowledge.