Oedipus, Seven Against Thebes & Medea.

             Oscar Wilde once said, "There are two tragedies in life. The first is not getting what you want. The second is getting what you want." This paradoxal statement, when examined, can be found to have some truth in almost everyone's life. It is particularly valid in the works Seven Against Thebes, Medea, and Oedipus The King. A closer look at these works will show how these two statements truly can destroy a character.

             In Aeschylus's Seven Against Thebes, the truth to Wilde's statement is very evident. Once the king dies, it becomes clear to Polynius and Eteocles what they want. The goal for both of them is to become king. It is decided that Eteocles will become the king, while Polynius will become leader of the army. This decision shows one aspect of the meaning of Wilde's quote. Both brothers wanted to be king, but only one could attain that goal. In this case, Eteocles got what he wanted, and Polynius did not get what he wanted. According to Wilde, now both brothers' lives will end in tragedy. After a few more complications, this does happen. Once the brothers go against each other at the seven gates of Thebes, their desire to have what they want continues to destroy them. At each Gate, Eteocles wins; even though Polynius leads the army. Once they reach the final gate, Eteocles and Polynius go against each other. This final gate found Polynius angry that he was not king and Eteocles angry that his brother represented himself as just. It is at this final gate that the brothers both perish. The outcome of them getting what they wanted, or the lack thereof truly did destroy them. Polynius did not receive what he wanted. Therefore, as the army leader he led his men to fight with evil. On the other hand Eteocles did receive the prize of becoming king and did get what he wanted. Once Eteocles and Polynius reached the final gate, the outcome of that decision for the throne was what caused the death of these two brothers.