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Oedipus The King Research Paper

677 Words3 Pages

The tragedy Oedipus, the King, explores the complications of fate and the influence of divine forces on human destiny. The protagonist is Oedipus, whose life is permanently shaped and controlled by the will of the gods. The tragedy written by Sophocles is about a king whose people are in despair because of a plague that is going around. The plague comes from the killing of the former king, Laius. Then, we find out that Oedipus is cursed to marry his mother and kill his father, King Laius. After Oedipus finds out, he hates himself and gouges his eyes out. In the tragedy, Oedipus’ curiosity arose because he wanted to find the truth but later regretted it. He is driven to this curiosity by the Oracle's prophecy, divine intervention, the role of fate, …show more content…

However, Oedipus's arrogance blinds him to the truth of Teiresias' words, and he accuses the prophet of treachery. Additionally, the chorus invokes the gods throughout the play, imploring them for mercy and guidance in the face of Oedipus' tragic fate. Fate, as depicted in Oedipus the King, is portrayed as an immutable force that governs the lives of mortals, transcending their attempts to defy or alter its course. Despite Oedipus' efforts to evade his destiny, his actions unwittingly fulfill the prophecy, leading to his tragic downfall. “Once again, I must bring the darkness into the light...slaughtered king”( Sophocles 677). His relentless pursuit of truth and justice, fueled by his desire to uncover the murderer of King Laius, ultimately leads to the revelation of his guilt. Oedipus’ tragic flaw is his excessive pride and arrogance. His unwavering belief in his ability to defy the gods and manipulate his fate blinds him to the truth of his origins and the consequences of his actions. His relentless pursuit of truth becomes a manifestation of his arrogance as he refuses to heed the warnings of Teiresias and others. Oedipus’s use of the words “I want you dead” (Sophocles 691) makes him seem very

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