Oedipus Rex Essay, Research Paper

Oedipus Rex

Sophocles & # 8217 ; Oedipus the King perpetuates this political orientation that the rubric character pursues a way which happens to be foretold. Oedipus was determined to salvage his metropolis and detect his individuality, nevertheless he finally assists in his ain ruin. Oedipus & # 8217 ; autumn from his kingly position was non by accident or because of some other individual. Oedipus is the lone 1 that can be blamed for his bad luck. Oedipus & # 8217 ; character traits are shown most clearly during his turning ruin, believing he is & # 8220 ; a simple adult male, who knows nil & # 8221 ; , yet cognizing more than he realizes by the terminal of the narrative.

Throughout the narrative, Oedipus & # 8217 ; deficiency of forbearance is most apparent. Wishing to stop this enigma of the decease of Laios every bit rapidly as possible, Oedipus passes an edict to kill anyone who withholds information. Teiresias tested Oedipus & # 8217 ; forbearance in the beginning of the narrative with information he was keep backing, & # 8220 ; For you would bestir a really rock to wrath & # 8230 ; & # 8221 ; . This impatient accusing of Teiresias proved to be bad, particularly since Teiresias foretold the stoping of the narrative. If Oedipus had been more patient and waited, he might hold non been rather so disquieted about the hereafter, nor agitate up about what was to go on.

However, that one trait did non entirely take away his place of high authorization. Oedipus displayed choler throughout the whole narrative, which did non assist him at all. During the narrative, we learn of Oedipus & # 8217 ; anger as he knocked a passer-by at

the meeting of the three main roads, “ I being enraged, work stoppage him who jostled me…” Subsequently, this passerby whom he angrily and rapidly killed, was revealed to be Laios, Oedipus’ male parent. Oedipus’ choler is besides shown as he begins to diss Teiresias by naming him an old adult male, “Blind as you are in eyes, and ears, and head! ”

The concluding trait that was Oedipus & # 8217 ; greatest enemy throughout the drama was his ain truthfulness. Whenever new facts presented themselves, Oedipus gave them an honorable expression. Equally shortly as it was fishy that Oedipus was involved, he acknowledged it. Oedipus ne’er held back any grounds indicating to his possible future eviction and loss of his kingly position. As the secret plan grew to the topmost point, Oedipus proceeds testimony of the Shepherd, as he wanted to hear more. This trait was the binding trait that brought Oedipus & # 8217 ; ruin. If Oedipus hid all the facts refering himself, he could hold easy buried this as cipher would cognize that he killed his male parent.

Introduced as a lovingness and concerned King, he all of a sudden emerges as a roseola and assumptive character whose determinations are non good founded. His traits of choler, deficiency of forbearance, and truthfulness, each helped speed up his diminution of power. Unfortunately, for Oedipus, this diminution of power led to the plucking of his ain eyes. Oedipus & # 8217 ; damaging behaviour finally leads to the realisation of his true individuality that besides brings this dismaying truth to disgrace his household and destruct his image in the eyes of the people.