At the beginning of Oedipus Rex, Oedipus is the king of Thebes. He has all the adoration and acclaim he could ever desire. "The world knows my name; I am Oedipus", is the biggest indication that he is getting a big head about things. The people are coming to him for help with the most recent plague. They are, once again, calling on him to solve the problem. His confidence in himself is most noticeable for his has already sent his brother-in-law Creon to talk to the Oracle at Delphi. Oedipus thinks he can handle the plague by himself, he seems to not be relying whatsoever on the gods and their wisdom

When Tiresias comes on the scene he knows exactly what will happen saying, "what will come will come". This angers Oedipus and he rants and raves only making Tiresias even madder. Oedipus? short temper, one of his tragic flaws, is stirring up trouble. He tries to have Creon killed and accuses him of trying to overthrow him. Creon tells him he is concocting fantasies and the chorus gently tells him the same. Still, Oedipus believes what he wants to and is resolute in his conclusions and unmoving in his fury. Here the reader begins to see how Oedipus really is and how his knowledge is great yet limited and his ignorance of his past is most tragic.

When Jocasta comes in and brakes up the fight amongst Creon and Oedipus we find that he is a whipped man. He immediately backs down but not without saying ?he started it?. Oedipus still is trying to maintain his kingly place. He is also still sure that he can solve this mystery of the murder of Laius himself; so, he sends for the only one who survived the attack: a Shepard. When the Shepard arrives he tells of Polybus and how Corinth wants him back. All r

Some common words found in the essay are:
Polybus Merope, Delphi Oedipus, Rex Oedipus, Creon Oedipus, Characterization Essay, Oedipus Father, Thebes Oedipus, David Schnabel, Oedipus Sophocles, Shepard Shepard, oedipus king, king thebes, tells oedipus, characterizes oedipus, oedipus rex, oedipus rex oedipus, rex oedipus,
Approximate Word count = 753
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)