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Oedipus The King Pride Analysis

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Pride is formed through personal constant experience of success and accomplishments, but to much pride leads to poor decision making which if not controlled ultimately leads to your demise. In the play “Oedipus the King” Sophocles gives Oedipus a dreadful dynasty predicted by the oracle. Despite Laius’s preparation to kill his son, Oedipus, before his fate was sealed, he survived and later becomes the king of the same city his father ruled over. Over his ruling of the city of Thebes Oedipus gets multiple chances to stop searching for the ugly truth because a man of his stature can not quit the search for the truth. Therefore, Oedipus’ hamartia of pride guides him on the path to meet his everlasting fate. Oedipus’ pride contributes to his repeated …show more content…

Oedipus’ pride “demand[s] that others tell him all they know” so he can fit the puzzle pieces together to find …show more content…

Oedipus believes he is a descendant of a god and will never lose his royalty because of his bloodline. He states his lineage to Creon to insure that Creon knows there is no way of dethroning Oedipus other then his death. Even though Creon has no wishes of taking the throne, Oedipus’ pride will not let his belief that Creon is a traitor go. The grudge Oedipus holds against Creon contributes to his stress, emotion, and state of mind which, furthermore leads to his inescapable fate. The next example is ironic and an unknowing internal conflict when Oedipus speaks to Laius’ killer as if he is actually right in front of him and commands him “ to turn his hand against [him]” even though Laius killer is himself (KO 29). Oedipus’ pride will not let Laius’ killer get away with an unjust murder. Oedipus, believing the murderer is a sneaky and unjust man, tries to talk to him even though he is nowhere in sight. Unwittingly, his efforts are useless because Laius’ killer is Oedipus all along. The scene contributes to his downfall because as he searches for Laius’ killer he unravels the spark that will contribute to the flame. Before discovery of his personal truth he finds himself searching for lost answers all because of his pride nagging him

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Although in some situations this proves to be true, his pride has proved to be a valuable trait that raised his confidence. Odysseus felt that he was better than Penelope’s suitors and this led to him being confident in defeating them, “we might lay plans to kill our enemies./ Count up the suitors for me, let me know/ what men at arms are there, how many men./… In the hushed hall it smote the suitors/ and all their faces changed. Then Zeus thundered/ overhead, one loud crack for a sign./ And Odysseus laughed within him that the son/ of crooked-minded Cronus had flung that omen down/” (Homer 1082-1084,1379-1383) Odysseus believes in his ability to win the challenge and defeat the suitors.

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In achieving a set goal one may be overcome by pride, feeling as if they are superior. The self assurance of finally completing something boosts ones self righteousness. Homer presents this in The Odyssey, as the protagonist, Odysseus, becomes overwhelmed with pride on several occasions. His actions are ultimately the cause for the loss of his crew and his prolonged absence from Penelope. Odysseus displays hubris, which is excessive pride and self-confidence, upon landing on the island of the Cicones, his encounter with the Cyclops, and the way in which he looks down on his crew.

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The Odyssey is an epic poem written by Homer. It is about Odysseus’ journey back to Ithaca and the hardships he faced after winning the Trojan war. The deadly sins are the capital vices of the church. All sins are a combination of these seven actions. The Odyssey have many underlying themes, one of which is the deadly sins.

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Pride comes in many forms, and when it grows, people get carried away and forget who they are. Supreme pride is just one trait that ties three tragic heroes together. Creon struggles with his own within the play Antigone by Sophocles; which is shown when he is not capable of creating an atmosphere of respect as king, without putting himself on a holy pedestal. Then Oedipus from Oedipus the King, also by Sophocles, shows his pride in a much different manner. Oedipus tries to go against his own fate that the Gods have already laid out for him.

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Their conflict has escalated to the point where Creon and Oedipus’ relationship has been temporarily cut. This characterizes the severity of their conflict, for in this setting, abandoning one’s kin was frowned upon. Oedipus’ suspicions can be expected of a king. Throughout history, there have been many instances of a relative of the king murdering the king and taking over. However, in this case, Creon does not intend to create Oedipus’ downfall or take over as king.

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As one's ego can be there downfall. Odysseus's ego also allows him to have a fondness of revenge, getting revenge for the same things he has

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but he never caught me, no, wise to the world/ I shot back in my crafty way” (9.316-318). Although he is being exceedingly prideful, Odysseus used his wit and cunning narrowly escape a deadly situation. When accomplishing a feat like this, one should be proud. Through this, he was able to be more confident and brave with the purpose that he could defeat the Cyclops. Odysseus’ pride and confidence assist him in journey as he makes new allies and boosts

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Oedipus denies the truth and faces the consequences later on in the play. He gets furious when everyone is blaming him for killing Laius. As he is blaming others, hubris appears within his personality. Oedipus becomes blinder as hubris takes over him.

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Having too much pride or hubris is deadly for men of high positions. Creon's and Oedipus' pride was their fatal flaw that affected their families and citizens who depended upon an emotional intelligence ruler who knew when they were acting unfairly, unkind, and prideful. In Sophocles's plays Oedipus Rex and Antigones. Oedipus and Creon have similar characteristics and actions that lead them to their tragic downfall. Oedipus' and Creon's downfall not only makes the audience feel complex emotions, such as sympathy for their ignorance or fear caused by their unleashed anger.

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After Odysseus’s men's stupidity, greed, and foolishness gets them killed, he learns that others actions and decisions may cause some terrible, long lasting grief. Odysseus faced a terrible amount of pain, but it only pushed him farther to finish what he had started and make it to his final destination,

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Even after escaping the cave by blinding the monster, Odysseus invites trouble by boasting, “Kyklops, if ever mortal men inquire how you were put to shame and blinded, tell him Odysseus, raider of cities took your eye: Laërtês’ son whose home’s on Ithaka!” (Book Ⅸ, Lines 548-552). Rather than regretting, Odysseus continues to be arrogant and selfish, despite the consequences that may come from his actions. He craves the glory that is awarded to those who defeat a monster, so Odysseus quickly takes credit for his deed, without thinking of the repercussions that could come if he reveals his name. In spite of these early faults, as Odysseus continues his journey, he learns self-control and humbleness.

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In The Odyssey, Odysseus’ journey is created by a cycle of self-created obstacles that are solved by quick witted thinking and ultimately reflect no real desire to learn from his errors or create any character development. Throughout the story, Odysseus expresses a strong desire to return home to Ithaca, however he is constantly thwarted by his own curious and boastful nature. For example, when

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Pride often leads to someone’s downfall - this idea has been developed from the playwright “Oedipus the king” through Rey’s interactive oral presentation. He discussed that Oedipus’ excessive pride over his knowledge due to solving riddles allows him to not listen to others including the respected Prophet , his dear relative Kreon - he seldom pays heed to them and decides to pursue further for searching the predecessor’s murderer . His own path opens up hidden , dark truth about his life. From the presentation it has been evident that Oedipus was not smart enough to realize that the path he set for himself, will eventually bring nothing but pain.

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Some would argue that pride and blindness to the truth have nothing to do with each other but the character and plot line of Oedipus in this story supports the argument that they very much are related with one another. Oedipus extracts a large amount of pride throughout most of the story. Oedipus thinking that he can control his fate reveals his pride. Oedipus believes that he can run away from his prophecy, no doubt that Oedipus is proud of the face that he does not desire to see the prophecy about himself fulfilled. Oedipus plays a god like role by thinking he can keep the terrible prophecy about his future from coming.

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Every character in stories or in plays has their flaws and strengths; Oedipus is no exception to this. Oedipus has his strengths and weaknesses that shape him into the character he is perceived to be in the play. He is intellectual which is why the city looks up to him, he is caring, and tenacious. Like any other character Oedipus also has his flaws, he jumps to conclusions and makes rash decisions, he has anger issues, and hubris which eventually leads to his downfall. Intelligence is something that is highly respected in individuals, especially in leaders.

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