Denial In Oedipus The King

“Do not seek to be master in everything” (Sophocles 1520). Set in Athens, Sophocles’ second addition to his epic Greek play follows the tragic tale of a self made hero, particularly his struggle with identity. Oedipus the King begins with the triumphant Oedipus as newfound ruler of the impoverished and diseased kingdom of Thebes. After unknowingly killing his father, whom he does not realize is King Laius of Thebes, Oedipus also marries his mother, Jocasta. An oracle informs him that the murderer has returned to Thebes, causing oedipus to declare that he will kill the person responsible. Meanwhile, Tiresias, a blind prophet reveals that oedipus is the killer and that he is the heir to the throne. After a period of denial, Oedipus and Jocasta

Jocasta encourages him to “not concern [himself] about this matter; listen to [her] and learn that human beings have no part in the craft of prophecy” (707-9). Their continual denial to admit the truth reflects the concept that knowledge does not exist for those who have power to act upon it. Moreover, in his closing speech, Oedipus acknowledges that he cannot be the ruler he wished he was when he is “seeing nothing, knowing nothing” (1484). By blinding himself, Oedipus removes any power he has from himself and acknowledges his ignorance. Ironically, at this point Oedipus proves to be more knowledgeable than at any other point in the play, despite his statement that he knows nothing. With this newfound knowledge, the king is able to recognize the reality of his ignorance, but, now that he has knowledge, he no longer has

After prophesied, Oedipus has no free will despite his lack of knowledge. Because he is unaware that he is Laius’ murderer, the king does not realize that the prophecy is true. However, even once he does recognize this, Oedipus is not redeemed. This inherent lack of power once knowledge is attained proves that Oedipus’ fate was sealed before he had knowledge. In both his closing and opening speeches, Oedipus refers to his subjects as “children” (1/1479), proving that the prophecy has come full circle despite Oedipus’ attempts to counter it. His relentless pursuit of the truth increasingly causes him to lose power over his fate. Particularly, when he discovers Jocasta is his mother, he finds “his wife hanging, the twisted rope around her neck” (1263-4). Thus, the prophecies prove that with knowledge, all power over one’s fate is