How Is Oedipus Be Punished

Jadie Milner

James Reed

English 1302

May 3, 2023

Title of Your Report

In the drama “Oedipus Rex”, Oedipus, King of Thebes, is revealed to have a tragic existence as he attempts to defy a prophecy that intel's him eventually killing his father and marrying his mother. A common discussion that many of the readers have about the drama is whether or not Oedipus deserves to be punished for his action or not. I believe that despite the fact that Oedipus committed a numerous amount of crimes, he should not be punished, because of the fact that Oedipus was merely just a victim of fate and was trying to pursue the truth.

To begin with, Oedipus did not know that Laius and Jocasta were his biological parents. Laius had provoked Oedipus, who then retaliated

If he had not made that decision, his son would not have killed him. Oedipus was unaware that Laius was his father which demonstrates how he was not in charge of his own destiny. Jocasta said, “-so goes the story; and for the son- before three days were out after his birth King Laius pierced his ankles and by the hands of others cast him forth upon a pathless hillside” (Sophocles 1582). This indicates that Oedipus should not be punished for his parents actions because Laius wanted to kill his son so he and Jocasta could live blissfully. Oedipus’ parents should have attempted to fight the prophetic war jointly rather than abandoning their child and escaping their

Having said that, many believe he should be punished for his absurd actions and naivety, which allowed his fate to unfold. Oedipus’ intelligence and tenacity not only make him the killer of Laius but also cause his tragic fall and his punishment of being blind and exiled. The first instance is when Oedipus seeks out Laius’ murder and vows that those responsible will be exiled. Ironically, he was the murderer, and Tiresias attempts to convince him that he should not go for the truth since it would just lead to further problems, but Oedipus ignores him. The drama says, “Alas, how terrible is wisdom when is brings no profit to the man that’s wise! This I knew well, but had forgotten it, else I would not have come here” (Sophocles 1572). If Oedipus had listened to Tiresias,he may have averted the curse of blindness and spared the anguish, suffering, and retribution that eventually overcame him. Oedipus belittles others who wish to avoid him for learning the truth in addition to being a terrible listener, which makes him deserving of his fate and punishment. Oedipus’ tragic fate is brought on by is lack of humility as a leader and as a