Oedipus Rex, King of Thebes, Solver of Riddles, victim to knowledge? I think the Teiresias said it best in the first scene, line 100 "How dreadful knowledge of the truth can be When there's no help in the truth!" Oedipus failed to listen to the old saying that "Ignorance is bliss" and this having to know the truth no matter who it hurts or at what costs it comes, combined with his belief of fortune telling Oracles, is what ultimately led to his downfall.

Oedipus was born to a family whom worshiped the gods and also believed in futures being foretold. Upon finding out that they, Oedipus's parents, where going to have a child they decided to make a trip to the Oracle. At that time the Oracle tells them that their child will kill his parents. Not wanting this to come true but too chicken to do their own dirty work Iocaste gives the child to a servant of their household to kill him. Now, how did they come to the point of feeling that this was their only option? Did they randomly and of their own accord decide to kill their child? The answer is no. By going to an Oracle to learn about what the future held and trying to save their own lives they were faced with little other optio

A messenger comes from Corinth to tell Oedipus that King Polybus is dead and that the citizens want him to come and lead them. Afraid of going to bed with his "mother" Meope, he tells the messenger that he cannot go. Hoping to win favor with Oedipus the messenger tells him that Polybus was not his father and that he gave Oedipus to the king when he was a baby. Iocaste's eyes are finally open.

Oedipus then calls on Teiresias who is an old clairvoyant. Teiresias tells Oedipus to let him go home and quit asking him questions. If Oedipus agrees he saves himself but no, he must know. It is not until Oedipus yells and belittles Teiresias that he learns that he is the scourge on Thebes. Ranting and raving at Creon his wife ask him what is wrong. King Oedipus tells his wife that Teiresias, being bribed by Creon has told him that he is the pollution. He ask how the King died and what he looked like. Iocaste tells him the story and now Oedipus begins to worry. The truth must be known now.

At this point everything is going good for Oedipus; He is king of his own country, married to a pretty wife, hero to the people etc. Then a plague comes to the land and instead of trying to find a way to deal with the problem himself he sends off his brother in law Creon to talk to the Oracle once again. If the last time I went to the Oracle it had told me that I would sleep with my mother and kill my father I don't know that I would go there again for advice. Creon come

Some common words found in the essay are:
Oracle Oracle, Solver Riddles, Pleading Oedipus, King Polybus, Miss Cleo, King Oedipus, Thebes Oedipus, Thebes Ranting, oracle oracle, oedipus king, king oedipus, kill father, tell oedipus, sleep mother,
Approximate Word count = 994
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)