The three texts, Oedipus The King, Aias, and Philoktetes, define an identity as the uniqueness of a character such as the strength and skills, the representation of that character to other people, and the true heritage. However, an identity one spends his life to build can fall apart within a second by any illness, action, or sudden revelation who they actually are. Aias, Oedipus, and Philoktetes’ carelessness in identifying with their reputations and actions lead their individualities to shatter and change. When Aias, Philoktetes, and Oedipus are forced to undergo destruction or alteration of their identities, they use their physical suffering to cope with the psychological distress of losing their identities.
Aias encounters the loss of his identity as an honorable soldier when he decides to
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In Oedipus The King, Oedipus is introduced as a wise king who cares about the well-being of the people as he solved the Sphinx riddle and saved the country. He is praised as “a bird from the god, [he] brought good luck the day [he] rescued [the people]” (Oedipus The King. 61-62). He identifies himself as a good king, and a son of Polybos and Merope. However, during his investigation into Laius’ murderer, he finds out that he is in fact the culprit; “All! All! It has all happened! / It was all true. O Light! Let this / be the last time I look on you. / You see now who I am- / the child who must not be born! / I loved where I must not love! / I killed where I must not kill!” (Oedipus The King. 1336.1342). The understanding of his identity is completely shattered when he learns the truth. With the sudden shift in his identity, the life he lived seems like a lie, and he becomes confused about his own identity. His loss of his coveted former identity as a good king, and the discovery of his new and shameful identity cause emotional