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
Some common words found in the essay are:
King Laios, King Polybus, Mother Oracle, Profit Oedipus', Oedipus Shepherd, Polybus Corinth, Dramatic Irony, Oedipus King, king laios, Delphi Oedipus, Laios Oedipus, father marry, kill father, kill father marry, father marry mother, marry mother, original oracle told, oedipus' life, oedipus blind, original oracle, king polybus, oedipus kill, oracle told king, told king, told king laios,
Approximate Word count = 1082
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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