You came to Cadmus' city and unbound

the tax we had to pay to the harsh singer,

did it without a helpful word from us,

with no instruction; with a god's assistance

you raised up our life, so we believe.

The play begins with begs and pleads by the priest of Zeus who speaks for the Theban people. The priest discloses that the city is plagued with hunger and death. He goes to Oedipus, believing that he can save the city as he once did before. Oedipus is aware of the problem the city is faced with, and has already sent his brother-in-law, Creon to Apollo's oracle so he can learn what may be done to save the city. He understands the power of the gods and will do what the gods wish. "But when he comes, then I shall be a traitor if I do not do all that god reveals." During this time, Oedipus is unaware that he is closely approaching his downfall, as the truth of his sins later reveal a disgusting, horrible, and tragic realization about himself. The discovery of the truths leads Oedipus with hideous feelings. He learns

Although Oedipus frees the city in the beginning, he is challenged to do it again. Creon's news from the gods is that in order to cure the city of plague, the person responsible for killing the former husband and King Laius must be murdered. Oedipus, having fate in the gods, will do exactly what the gods demand. He is determined to discover who the man is so that he can put an end to the horrible curse granted upon Thebes.

At the end of the play, Oedipus learns that he is powerless against the gods. He tried to escape what Apollo said would happen to him in the future. He developed an arrogant attitude that was ironically illusory - solver and killer of the Sphinx, king of the city. I strongly believe that his attitude acted like a protection against the truth. He probably believed that the gods assisted him in overcoming the sphinx. Both Laius and Oedipus tried to prevent the oracles from occurring. In doing this act, Oedipus learns that the gods are laughing at him. He or no man can fool the gods, for the gods are the most powerful beings. In conclusion, the gods that Oedipus may have thought helped him free a city from the sphinx was now his enemy. "But I am the gods' most hated man!" (1527, pp. 1293)

Ultimately, Oedipus' attitude towards the gods throughout the play is ambiguous. In the beginning of the play, he praises and has great fate in the gods. "Our luck will prosper if the god is with us, or we have already fallen." (145, pp. 1258) In the play, when Oedipus conceals that he fled Corinth to escape the oracles of the gods, it becomes apparent that his feelings towards the gods is unclear.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Ultimately Oedipus', Polybus Meropc, Phoebus Apollo, Sphinx Cadmus', King Laius, Creon Apollo's, Laius Oedipus, Corinth Oedipus, Ismene Oedipus, Thebes Oedipus, play oedipus, oracle gods, oedipus learns, power gods, frees city, fate gods, play oedipus learns, polybus meropc, answering riddle, oedipus frees, towards gods, oedipus frees city,
Approximate Word count = 1101
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)