Oedipus Rex Downfall

Tragically flawed by his hubris in thinking he could outwit the prophecies, Oedipus Rex’s inability to take advice lead him to fall so far that he is now the epitome of tragic heroes. In his desperate attempts to outwit the prophecies he allowed himself to be emotionally compromised, which illustrated the true nature of Oedipus who had ruled with reason for twenty years as ultimately a man of emotion. Even though he had brief moments of mental clarity during his fall the damage caused by and continued need to fall back on emotionally driven decisions cost him his kingship and reputation.

Initially Oedipus is introduced as a personable and reasonable man when he himself journeys to Thebes with the intention of saving the city. “I would not

This sets him up as the King of Thebes as well as a man of reason. Twenty years pass and he appears to still be making logical decisions even sending for divine guidance idealized in “I have sent Creon, [. . .] to learn there [Delphi], [. . .] What act or pledge of mine may save the city” (6). When he learns that he must exile the murderer of Laios he does two very logical things. The first statement he makes is “By avenging the murdered king I protect myself” (8) which demonstrates his use of logic in order to protect himself. His second statement of “No further trouble will come to him, but he may leave the land in safety” (13) is a brilliant attempt to find the person by granting them assurance they will be safe. Sadly no one comes forth, and he ends up being accused of murdering King Laios. When talking to the Prophet he says “Are you

It is for them I suffer.” (7) Going against the advice of Creon he shares the prophecy, something usually discussed behind closed doors in the palace. With the crowd around him he and running off emotion he tries to rally the crowd by saying “I pray the man’s life be consumed by evil” (14) which sets him up for an even greater fall. Ignoring Tiresias who lets him know to “Bear your own fate, I’ll bear mine. It is better so; trust what I say” (17) he presses on only to be told he is the murderer. Losing control idealized in, “Rage? Why not!” (19) It is clearly shown how he is almost totally giving over to his emotions at this point. The Choragus at one point even makes a comment saying “He may have spoken in anger, not from his mind” (27). In his tailspin of a dive Oedipus tries accusing Creon with, “How brazen of you to come to my house, you murderer!” (28) because he doesn’t want to entertain the idea that the prophet might not be lying. Creon tries to set him straight by asking for a chance to explain himself even asking the Oedipus to question himself to which Oedipus responds “Put your questions away. I am no