Character Analysis for Oedipus

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However, Oedipus later discovers that he has no idea about his identity as well as the history of Thebes. He realizes that he is the one who cannot see beyond the present. Shortsightedness becomes Oedipus’ source of pain. According to g to Fletcher, Sophocles makes Oedipus suffer because of his selfishness and his inability to listen (56).

Oedipus is power angry and dictatorial. His leadership style is highly authoritarian in the manner in which he executes his powers in a selfish and self-centered manner. Though Oedipus wants to eliminate corruption in his leadership, he uses his position to perpetrate social vices such as pride, violence and dictatorship. His impairment of integrity, virtue his poor moral principles drives him to kill his father. Moreover, in his bid to assert his personal identity, Oedipus ends up marrying his mother. The dictatorial nature of his leadership is also evident in one instance of the tragedy where Oedipus asserts that “to them that walk in power, to exceed is madness and not wisdom” (67). This is clear evidence that Oedipus has realized that his power was flooded by violence, prejudices, and pride. All these tragic flaws act as Oedipus downfalls. He even begs the gods for punishment. After realizing the social upheavals that have transpired during his leadership tenure, Oedipus is so guilty of his actions that he cannot withstand the reality any longer. He asks the gods to punish him and bear the wrath of his actions. However, it is evident that the gods had already decided the fate of Oedipus even before he knew. Oedipus family succumbs to the wrath of gods. Oedipus cannot withstand the demise of his facility. Instead, he wishes that death swallows him, and he is willing to account for his actions. Though he asks for the family to be salvaged, according to hubris his entire family has to face the wrath of the gods. However, it should be noted that at no any time is Oedipus aware of his actions. He is unconscious in his pursuit of his father’s death as well as his marriage to his mother. I think Sophocles makes Oedipus suffer from his blindness, to depict the way human beings succumb to predicaments that they can easily avoid. Moreover, in a way Sophocles intends to run to the attention of the readers that, it is paramount to heed to advise and always give other people’s opinions a second thought before disregarding them.

Zawodniak 3

Notably though Oedipus in actuality is the king of Thebes, the series of misfortune do not allow him to consciously discern what he wants in life. However, his failure can be solely attributed to his character flaws. It is worth noting that Oedipus character traits and flaws are typical of most Greek tragedies. According to Fletcher, Greek tragedies are characterized by protagonists who despite being perfect end up failing in their endeavors (75). In this case, though Oedipus is almost perfect, his perfection is obstructed by the humartia. This, in turn, leads to his downfall as the protagonist in the tragedy. Oedipus is arrogant, proud and does not heed to any advice. Moreover, he is fearless since he does not give up his mission towards unraveling the mysteries that came his way. Despite his flaws, Oedipus is understanding and a good person who is ever determined to establish the truth. Immediately he discovers who he is, Oedipus accepts his fate and is willing to take the punishment meted to him. I presume that the fact that he accepts his fate and is ready to take up the responsibility for his actions make him the tragic hero of the story.

Works cited

Cameron, Alister. The Identity Of Oedipus The King. New York: New York University Press, 2010. Print.

Fletcher, Paul. Sophocles: Oedipus Rex, Oedipus At Colonus, Antigone. New York: Barnes & Noble, 2011.Print.

Mullahy, Patrick et al. Oedipus: Myth And Complex. New York: Hermitage Press, 2010. Print.

Sophocles., and Robert Bagg. Oedipus The King. Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press, 2009. Print.