Oedipus Tyrannos or Oedipus Rex, mainly known as Oedipus the King was written around 420 BC by Sophocles ( 495 BC-405 BC). The name means swollen foot or swollen leg'. This play is considered as the purest and most powerful expression of greek tragic drama. It was cited by the famous philosopher Aristotle, as a perfect tragedy. He also noted that watching this drama is a kind of cleansing of the soul, bringing an uplifted feeling one may experience when seeing what happens when a great soul undertakes a daunting task and sees it through to the end.
The shepherd whom the servant gave the child which is Oedipus, brought him to the King of Corinth, King Polybus who raise and treat him as his own child. As Oedipus grew to manhood, the prophet warned him that he will kill his very own father and marry his own mother. Not knowing that he is adopted, he left Corinth to keep away from committing such crimes. The prophecy used to be fulfilled when Oedipus slays his own father on the road while crossing over the mountain. He fought a caravan of guys who tried to strain him off the road that's why he killed them all. The Thebans, not knowing it is Oedipus who has killed Laius their King, reward him for solving the riddle of the Sphinx with an offer of marriage to Jocasta the Queen. Oedipus unaware that Jocasta is his mother marries her and has four children with her. That is how the prophecy was fulfilled.
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Despite his horrific providence, Oedipus has an awesome persona. His persona is composite and well-wrought permitting us to empathize and discover his anguish. Some of his most admirable attributes are his resolution, devotion to verity and justice are also commendable. He is a good ruler who continually carried out the best interests of his people. He's a virtuous figure who seeks to enforce justice for the murder of Laius. Regardless of the warning of the blind prophet Tiresias that Oedipus will be perturbed by the authentic identification of Laius' assassin, Oedipus remained focused on his search for the truth. This indicates Oedipus's admirable personality traits of fearless commitment to reality and justice.
Oedipus's inclination to be a good ruler over the people of Thebes is very commendable. He saved their kingdom from the curse of the Sphinx to show that he deserves the crown to be a king. Even when he finds out the frightening truth that he was really the offender of the crime, he no longer contradicts it or strives to conceal the truth. He takes the retribution for killing Laius. Therefore he blinds himself, exiled himself from Thebes, and lives the rest of his existence as a blind beggar. It shows his honest personality that admits to and accepts punishment for his mistakes.
Oedipus is a brave man who accepts his fate. He shows that a true leader can accept all the responsibility for his wrongdoings and doesn't escape from his mistakes. He allowed himself to be miserable to pay for his crime. He is an inspirational leader despite his faith. He's an unselfish man who did not try to protect himself nor hide the truth for his own good.
Oedipus Rex is all about the King of Thebes, Oedipus. The play shows that destiny played out in his life and how it makes him miserable. The prophecy of killing his own father and marrying his own mother was fulfilled. That's how the play shows how we can't control one's own destiny and how we cannot predict what will happen. The effects of being quick to act without sufficient knowledge can result in something that can change our lives forever.
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