Does Oedipus Do To Deserve Misfortune?

From honorable and successful king to devastated, blind, man guilty of murder and incest, Oedipus’ downfall is so drastic that it poses the question: what did Oedipus do to deserve such misfortune? E.R. Dodds and his students give varying interpretations to this question; some students state that Oedipus’ downfall is a result of his own actions and proves that people always get what they deserve, while others believe his downfall is part of his destiny and proves that people cannot escape their destiny. A last group of students claims that Oedipus’ downfall evokes no theme or moral but is simply an artfully crafted story. Although Oedipus’ misfortune is caused by his own actions, as some students claim, none of Dodds’ students successfully

As Dodds suggests, the question of whether Sophocles depicts Oedipus as a “good man” can be answered “by looking at what the characters in the play say about him” (Dodds 39). The citizens trust Oedipus, showing his favorability as a character. One priest, begs Oedipus, on behalf of all citizens, to rescue Thebes of its turmoil: “we bend to you, your power-we implore you, all of us on our knees” (Sophocles 161). While citizens respect and look up to Oedipus, trusting their city in his hands, readers should find themselves trusting Oedipus as Sophocles intended them to. Additionally, Sophocles depicts Oedipus as a kind man by expressing Oedipus’ good intentions towards the people of Thebes. When the citizens become concerned with the violence and state of their country, Oedipus does too. Expressing his worry and sympathy for the citizens, Oedipus states, “my spirit grieves for the city... all of you... I have wept through the nights” (162). Feeling pain and sorrow when they do, Oedipus cares for the citizens as he does himself which shows his selflessness and kindness. Oedipus, a kind and trustworthy man, is not deserving of punishment for his

Throughout the story, characters support this claim, reminding others of the gods’ power over men, but Oedipus does not comply. One man, a priest, reminds Oedipus that though he is powerful and influential, he is not as superior or powerful as the Gods. He states: “‘Now we pray to you. You cannot equal the Gods, your children know that.’” (161). As Oedipus rejects this statement and values himself over the Gods, the Gods, becoming angry, unleash the truth about him and his mother and father. After Oedipus discovers that he has murdered his father and married his mother, he is stricken with guilt that he explains by telling the citizens, “‘Now I’ve exposed my guilt, horrendous guilt...Oblivion-what a blessing’” (243). Oedipus is no longer a powerful king but is a guilty man, longing to be oblivious to the harsh truths of his life. This downfall shows the gods’ authority over humans, as they have ruined Oedipus’ reign and mental state by simply exposing the truth. Creon explains how the Gods’ have shown their superiority, claiming, “‘And this time, I assume, even you will obey the god’s decrees’” (246). Now, aware of their strength and power, Oedipus will never attempt to gain more or equal power and authority as the Gods, for it can have devastating