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Oedipus's View Of The Messenger

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How does one’s view of the Messenger change as the plot progresses? At first, it seems as though the Messenger came with good news for Thebes. When Jocasta asks him why he came, he claims that he has, “Wonderful news- / for the house, my lady, for your husband too” (Sophocles 1023-1024). The people of Thebes expect the Messenger to bring forth good news which may even relieve Thebes of the curse. On the contrary, the Messenger helps to expose the dreadful truth of Oedipus’ life. The Messenger reveals, “Polybus was nothing to you, that’s why, not in blood” (Sophocles 1113). The Messenger also announces that the man who give him the baby Oedipus “called himself a servant of… / if I remember rightly-Laius” (Sophocles 1143-1144). The Messenger almost confirms that Oedipus murdered Laius, and that Jocasta is his mother. This is evident when Jocasta flees from the palace with no explanation. Thus, the Messenger shifted drastically from a man bringing good news for the king to the man who first revealed Oedipus’ horrendous fate. What can be characterized about Oedipus from his treatment of the Shepherd? …show more content…

When the Messenger asks the Shepherd if he remembers passing on a baby many years ago, the Shepherd questions, “What? Why rake up that again?” (Sophocles 1257) The Shepherd knows that the prophecy of Apollo has been fulfilled, and that Oedipus’ terrible fate has come true. He wants to keep this concealed as long as he can. However, Oedipus wants answers immediately. When the Shepherd stalls, Oedipus orders, “Twist his arms back, quickly!” (Sophocles 1268) Oedipus’ blindness of his fate causes him to be impatient and cruel with the Shepherd. This relates to the theme of blindness Sophocles established in Antigone. Similar to how Creon is blinded by his pride, Oedipus is blind to his horrific fate, and unknowingly strives to quicken the

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