Oedipus the King

A detailed Summary of Oedipus the King

The story of "Oedipus the King" is of a man who falls shamelessly from power.

Sophocles' wrote this Dramatic Irony using themes of fate and blindness. As the story unfolds,

it's quite evident Oedipus did in fact kill his Father and marry his Mother, just as an Oracle had

predicted. Oedipus is portrayed to be self-confident, intelligent, and strong-willed. Ironically it

was these very traits that brought him to his demise.

It's ironic that Oedipus solved the Sphinx's riddle, "What goes on four legs in the

morning, two at noon, and three at evening?" (1253) with the reply of "Man". Sophocles wrote

this riddle as a metaphor of Oedipus' life. As a baby crawling on all fours, as a matured man

only using two legs; upon reaching the later days of life, three, two legs and the use of a cane.

Oedipus gained kingship of Thebes by solving this riddle that was preventing the country of

solving the murder of it's King, Laios. "Made us deaf to all mysteries but her own." (1259). To

solve a riddle that condenses Oedipus' life, to become ruler of a land who's king was murdered

by that very man, it's a sign that fate is rearing it's ugly head. He then calls a curse on the person

who killed the King, in essence calling the

Oedipus to kill them all. (Except one that we find out later). He also bullies Teiresias into

control the fate that had been laid before them. It all started with King Laios and Iocaste trying to

threatens him until the Profit finally in frustration tells what he "sees". Since Oedipus was blind

would be yours". (1264) Oedipus takes this as a lack of cooperation, calls him names and

choosing not to see. Once Iocaste finally sees the truth and begs Oedipus to stop investigating,

courageous, intellectual and determined character. Ironically if he had not possessed those traits

Approximate Word count = 1082
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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