major flaw, but through determination and pride, the King learns the truth about

himself, which in the end makes him a better person. Oedipus says, "And it is my

solemn prayer that the unknown murderer, and his accomplices, if such there be,

may wear the brand of shame for their shameful act, unfriended, to their life's

end."(32) In his ignorance, Oedipus does not consider himself a suspect in the

killing of Laius, but his determination to find the killer will unveil the truth.

Oedipus will do whatever it takes to apprehend the malefactor. He says,

I grieve for you my children. Believe me I know all that you desire of me, all

that you suffer, and while you suffer, none suffers more than I. You have your

several griefs, each for himself; but my heart bears the weight of my own, and

yours and all my people's sorrows.(27)

Oedipus is a proud man and is empathetic of the people of his city. He feels the

pain and anguish that his people are going through, and is determined to find the

perpetrator who committed the act. No matter what the outcome is, he will get the

truth. This is the start of the revelation that Oedipus goes throu

which he had been told all along. He can't believe what he hears and he shouts,

finds out that he is in fact, the son of Jocasta and Laius. Shocked at the magnitude

my birth. To the woman...is shamed by my low origin...I shall not be shamed .... I

out! All known, no more concealment! O light! May I never look at you again,

he discovered his true self. He thought that he had a perfect life, but after the truth

over the throne for himself. The conversation comes to a quick and angry halt, and

whereas before, he didn't want to know because he thought he already had the

he could not have been the killer, but through his sense of pride and determination

describes. He is told by Jocasta that there is a messenger who knows the truth, and

his children, " Children, there is much that you will understand when you are older;

Now Oedipus is in dire need of the truth, and finally he gets the truth. He

of the crime that he has committed, he runs into the palace and screams, " Alas, All

Some common words found in the essay are:
Sophocles Oedipus', Laius Shocked, oedipus begins, laius killed, ignorant attitude,
Approximate Word count = 854
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)