Sophocle's Oedipus

A detailed Summary of Sophocle's Oedipus

Many say that the story of Oedipus, written by Sophocles, is argumentative between the ideas of innocence and guilt of the main character, Oedipus. The actual killing of the King of Thebes, Laius and his four servants might be an extreme display of Oedipus' murderous temperament, and his dealings of incest with the Queen Jocasta may also seem blameworthy; but his lack of knowledge of the fact they were his parents makes it seem as if he is not at fault. After being assumed guilty of the death of his father and the act of incest with his mother, in reality, Oedipus's actions were just unfortunate, unknown, and innocent unbeknownst to him.

In the critical analysis of P.H. Vellacott, The Guilt of Oedipus, he states his opinion that Oedipus is to blame for his misfortune. He shows that Oedipus' character traits are shown most clearly during his spiraling downfall, thinking he is a simple man who knows nothing, yet knowing more than he realizes by the end of the story. Throughout the story, Vellacott shows that Oedipus' haste or lack of common sense is most evident. It is especially obvious when he goes against the oracle's warning. Vellacott's examination of this shows how Oedipus makes himself

On the contrary of Vellacott and Wheelwright's observations, many argue that Oedipus' expiration was caused simply because of his arrogance and his lack of self-knowledge; hence, J.T. Sheppard's argument in The Innocence of Oedipus. Sheppard makes clear that opinions of guilt differ between Greek historical times and present day modern times. His argument is that his act of murder was conveyed as self-defense. This proceeds into the fact that if it was self defense, then how was he supposed to know who his victim was and what would happen next. All of this falls under a guiltless mind causing Sheppard's outlook to be the innocent misfortune of Oedipus.

Similarly, it is insinuated that the suffering of Oedipus is an unfair treatment for a man just trying to be an honest king.

Equally important to Sheppard's ideas are the arguments presented by Thomas Gould in The Innocence of Oedipus. Gould presents the line of reasoning that Oedipus' bad luck is due to the fact that his circumstances are accidental. He questions his readers with the same decisions that Oedipus was faced with when trying to save Thebes from demise and destruction. This line of questioning puts reasonable doubts in the minds of his readers, forcing them to feel pity on Oedipus for his predicament. By Sophocles putting Oedipus' crimes as past faults, it shows that younger persons are not as wise until they mature, proving Oedipus' innocence by lack of a conscience mind.

Oedipus declares his mistake and his part in the infection of Thebes. I believe that his honesty and truthfulness shows his innocence in the murder of Laius and the marriage to Jocasta.

Next you have Wheelwright disputing the fact that the destiny of Oedipus has something to do with the father and son conflict between him and Laius. Wheelwright seems to think that all of this happens as a way of Oedipus being a usurper and overstepping his boundaries. He expresses his view by saying,

Likewise, my opinion is in agreement with those of Sheppard and Gould. I believe that Oedipus, being of unsound mind and unknown thought, is innocent o

Some common words found in the essay are:
Laius Wheelwright, Jocasta Delphi, Jocasta Oedipus', Oedipus Gould, Oedipus Wheelwright, Oedipus Sheppard, Sheppard Gould, Vellacott Oedipus', Queen Jocasta, Guilt Oedipus, oedipus' innocence, innocence oedipus, tiresias' riddles, unknown innocent, guilt oedipus, caused simply, lack self-knowledge, innocent crimes, guilty oedipus, oedipus usurper,

Approximate Word count = 1418
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English