Reflection of Oedipus

Reflection of Oedipus

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Heather Bogert

Mr. Lynch

ENC1102

5/2/2017

My Reflection of Oedipus and its Conflicts

Throughout the story of Oedipus there are many conflicts. This tragedy has so many events to it and is very overwhelming. Simplifying the story makes it a much easier read for people who don’t read stories like this. So this is why I simplified the language and made the story more relatable through a fakebook page. Through the reflection I will discuss the story line of Oedipus and go over 2 major conflicts. These conflicts in Oedipus include: Oedipus killing his father and sleeping with his mother.

In the beginning, Laius and Jocasta are having difficulties conceiving a child. The king then goes to the Oracle to see what the problem might be. The Oracle then goes on to tell Laius will conceive a child with Jocasta but there will be some problems. He says “The child will kill you and sleep with his mother”. Even though Laius knows what will happen he continues to sleep with his wife. After having the baby boy, to try and avoid the prophecy, Laius pierces the baby's ankles and then proceeds to abandon his son, Oedipus, on the slopes of Mt. Cithaeron. The boy is then saved by a Shepard. He then goes up believing that Polybius and Merope are his actual parents. The prophet then tells Oedipus he is destine to kill his father and sleep with his mother. A few men arrive to the crossroads and tell Oedipus to move out of their way. Oedipus says no which causes a fight where Oedipus kills every last one of them. This conflict is very important to the story line as now Oedipus has killed his father and followed to prophecy. This makes me want to continue reading even though I am certain the second part of this horrible prophecy will arise.

After Oedipus has killed his father, that he is unaware of, Oedipus shows up in Thebes and announces that he has killed the monster which dangers them. The citizens are pleased with this and Creon gives him the throne and the hand of Jocasta as he promised if the monster is killed. Oedipus is now the king and is married to his mother unknowingly. He then sleep with his mother and has multiple kids. He does not know that he is playing out his prophecy. He has slept with his mother. Soon Jocasta finds out from the messenger that she is her husbands mother. Oedipus finds out as well. Jocasta is so devastated that she ends her life by hanger herself. After Oedipus sees his mother has ended her life he gouged his eyes out. These conflicts create the Story of Oedipus into a real tragedy.

I feel as though the Story of Oedipus had great impact on my performance in composition and many other classes to