Oedipus The Architect
?For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.? Newton?s first law. In other words, there are consequences, be they good or bad, for everything we do. A person?s character, defined by the qualities they display, is what guides their actions. If Oedipus? character is responsible for his actions and the consequences of his actions represent his tragedy, then his character, or character flaws are responsible for the tragedy. The dominant flaws in Oedipus? character are his superstitious nature, his short temper and impulsiveness, and his stubbornness. Oedipus? tragic fall is not written in the stars but is brought about consequentially, by the flaws that shine through when his character is put to the test. Normally superstitions are innocent, even healthy. However, when they influence important decisions or precipitate unnecessary actions, the pretense of innocence grows thin and the repercussions of those actions reveal them for what they, under most circumstances, are: mistakes, bad calls, screw ups, etc. Oedipus let his belief and fear of Apollo?s prophecy; that he would kill his father marry his mother, control his actions on more than one occasion. Oedipus? belief in Apollo?s prophecy was
strong enough to bring him to Thebes and keep him there after the first half of the prophecy had supposedly proven false. First, thinking of his parents, he leaves his comfortable place in Corinth, thinking to spare them. His leaving Corinth out of fear of the prophecy puts him first at the scene of a murder, then in Thebes where he becomes very popular and marries their recently widowed queen. Then when he hears of his fathers death, which discredits the first half of the prophecy, he says, ?I must still fear- and who would not?- A marriage with their mother.?(pg. 67) His fear is still strong enough to cause him to stay in Thebes where he is guilty of the very acts that inspire his fears. Oedipus? fear of the prophecy was responsible for putting him where he physically needed to be to commit the acts that lead to tragedy. Short temper is often responsible for tragedies, big or small. Oedipus was very short tempered, often directing his anger at those who tried to help him. First Tiresias, who trying to help, withheld Oedipus? name as the identity of the murderer he sought. Quick to anger, Oedipus insults, ?You scoundrel! You would enrage a lifeless stone.?(pg. 21), and accuses Tiresias of planning the murder. Now angry, Tiresias gives Oedipus, what he had held back for his own protection. Then, jumping to
Some common words found in the essay are:
Oedipus Architect, Stubbornness Oedipus, Jocasta Oedipus, Finally Oedipus, Oedipus Creons, Tiresias Oedipus, Laius Jocasta, short temper, tragic fall, apollos prophecy, tragedy short temper, gods name, laius jocasta, fear prophecy, tragedy short, oedipus belief, superstitious nature, fear apollos prophecy, tried help,
Approximate Word count = 887
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
