Self-Pride In Oedipus The King

The plot of Oedipus the King, a Greek Tragedy written by Sophocles, revolves around several prophecies. A plague has stricken Thebes, and Oedipus discovers that the plague will only end when the murderer of King Laius has been caught. Additionally, another prophecy states that the son of King Laius and Queen Jocasta would kill his father and sleep with his mother. Oedipus vows to the citizens of Thebes that he will find the murderer, but as the plot develops, Oedipus comes to the realization that he himself was the murderer he had been seeking. Oedipus’ use of violence, both verbal and physical, accurately illustrates his excessive self-pride, which helps reveal his tragic flaw to the audience.

At the beginning of the play, Oedipus uses verbal

When Kreon enters, Oedipus says, “You—here? You have the gall to show your face? … You, plotting to kill me, kill the king … The marauding thief himself scheming to steal my crown and power! … I find you a menace, a great burden to me” (108). He continues to accuse Kreon without giving him the opportunity to defend himself. Oedipus’ stubborn behavior suggests that he fails to consider anybody else’s thoughts. In fact, he is very overconfident in his ability to find and punish the murderer of King Laius that he even accuses his brother-in-law of conspiring against him. Kreon, who had always been a loyal friend and kinsman, asks if Oedipus wants him banished, but Oedipus responds brutally with, “No, I want you dead” (110). These quotes further support the argument that Oedipus’ hubris is illustrated through his use of verbal violence against

To the audience, the violent action of Oedipus stabbing his eyes suggests that he is in such pain and agony that he decides to blind himself as a type of punishment. In fact, there have been several instances in the play that have foreshadowed this moment. Oedipus had been blind in more than one way throughout the play. Not only was he blind to the truth about his own parents, but he was also foolish enough to curse the murderer of King Laius, which he eventually discovers to be himself. The irony is that Oedipus decides to blind himself just when he has finally put together the pieces of the puzzle. Oedipus’ decision to blind himself is therefore symbolic of all the warning signs he refused to acknowledge. When the truth has been revealed, Oedipus literally blinds himself with the gold pins from Jocasta’s dress. The violent action of gouging out his eyes suggested that Oedipus was too ashamed of himself and that he wanted a way to escape that guilt and shame. His inability to acknowledge the truth initially is what leads to his own downfall, as depicted in this tragic