The Decline of Oedipus

A detailed Summary of The Decline of Oedipus


The Decline of Oedipus in Oedipus Rex

Oedipus began Oedipus Rex as a king, only to end the tale as a blinded beggar. Oedipus' fall from his kingly status is not by accident or because of some other person. Oedipus is the only one that can be blamed for his misfortune. Oedipus' character traits of haste, anger, and truthfulness are shown most clearly during his spiraling downfall where he thinks he is a simple man who knows nothing, yet knowing more than he realizes by the end of the story.

Throughout the story, Oedipus' haste or lack of patience is most evident in his stichomythy with Teiresias. Wishing to end this mystery of the death of Laios as quickly as possible, Oedipus passes an edict to kill or exile anyone who withholds information. Teiresias tested Oedipus' patience in the beginning of the story with the information he is holding; "you could provoke a stone to anger! (339)" The impatient accusations against Teiresias proved to be dreadf


However, that one trait alone did not take away his position of high authority. Oedipus displayed anger throughout the whole story, which did not help him at all. During the story we learn of Oedipus' anger as he knocked a passerby at the meeting of the three highways; "I struck in my anger (812)". Later, this passerby whom he angrily and quickly killed, was revealed to be Laios, Oedipus' father. Oedipus' anger also quickly shifted his judgment of Teiresias. "you, I think, helped plot the deed; you did it-even if your hand cannot have struck the blow. (352)" Oedipus' respect for Teiresias quickly changed as Teiresias refused to tell the trouble's cause. Oedipus began claiming that Creon has, "suborned this fortuneteller-schemer! deceitful beggar-priest! (393)" meaning that Teiresias was thought of as a traitor by Oedipus. Oedipus' anger is also shown as he begins to insult Teiresias by calling him "stupid (438)". Oedipus' anger throughout the begi

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 650
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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