The search of truth
In "Oedipus the King," Oedipus's relentless search for the cause of the city's plague leads to his inevitable misery. Unknowingly, Oedipus had slain his father, married his mother, and was the cause of the city's misfortune. Mid way through his search, Oedipus is warned that his search will only lead to his misfortune, but he decides to continue. His wife then begs him to leave the origins of his family unknown. These opposing characters represent some serious real life philosophical questions. Oedipus represents the need for a truthful life at all costs, and Jocasta believes "Ignorance is bliss." "Let me go home. It will be easiest for us not to bear our destinies to the end if you will follow my advice. You'd to us of this your gift of prophecy? You talk as one who had no care, care for law, love for Thebes who reared you." (Sophocles, p. 23) "I will not be persuaded to let be the chance of finding, out the whole thing clearly." (Sophocles, p.53) These two quotes basically sum up Oedipus. Although Tiresias advises Oedipus to just go home, Oedipus cannot accept this. He cares for his city and cannot live without the truth. "With such clues I could not fail to bring my birth to light.
I will begin with the question of the individual and society. If someone believes that there is nothing else to life than personal happiness than Jocasta is right. Forget the city, Oedipus should have ended his search. But if there is something else to life-namely, an after life, than Oedipus is right. If this life is only something that leads you to something better, than happiness here is insignificant. It doesn't even have to be a religious thing. It can be a belief that every one should live a moral life. Jocasta's represents a very narrow scope on life. In regards to the question of truth, we must weigh the meaning in our lives. If it is only to live in happiness, than how shallow are our lives. Only through the search for truth and knowledge and living with values can our life have any meaning. It may be that even then, with a moral and truthful life, it may be meaningless. If you look at how minuscule our lives are compared to the world and history, you can begin to understand, how anything we do may have no meaning. Yes, its depressing, but our only hope is through knowledge, truth, and values that we have any meaning. Even if these morals or quests for knowledge lead to unhappiness, you must believe it leads you to more meaning. To answer that question we must answer two other questions that precede it. What is the value of truth, and secondly what is more important the society or the individual? The second question may seem ridiculous, but its not. Every human has his own feelings, goals, and dreams that will make him happy. Is it so ridiculous to assume that people are selfish. Ideally speaking I think most would say that they would sac
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1124
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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