Matt Hoetzl Essay Example

events, and the actions taken to ensure justice. In scene two of the play, Oedipus and Kreon engage in a heated argument, each accusing the other of killing Laios. Iokaste interrupts and urges them to cease their feud, highlighting the importance of unity within the powerful and influential inhabitants of Thebes. Thebes is plagued with prophecies and a relentless pursuit of Laios' killer.

Everyone needs to come together and work towards fulfilling the prophecy instead of engaging in conflict. Following this, Iokaste discloses all her information regarding the death of Laios to Oedipus. Upon hearing the details concerning the timing, location, and individuals present at the time of Laios' demise, Oedipus comprehends that Teiresias could have been telling the truth when he accused Oedipus of being Laios' killer. However, there was one small inconsistency in Iokaste's account that did not align with Oedipus' encounter with the potential Laios.

If the servant, the sole survivor of the attack on Laios, claims his party was assaulted by highway men, then Oedipus is exonerated from any allegations. This is because he engaged in the altercation alone, without the assistance of highway men. I suspect that Sophocles intentionally fabricated the servant's account of being attacked by highway men in order to mislead the readers. There is always a slight possibility that this entire situation is a monumental mistake, and the striking resemblance in the narratives of Iokaste and Oedipus is merely coincidental. Readers might cling to the notion that this is all an extraordinary coincidence, in the hope that this play will culminate in a joyful outcome, one where Oedipus is spared from being implicated in Laios' demise.

Scene three. A messenger

is sent from Corinth to inform Oedipus that he is summoned to become Corinth's king because his father, the former king, has died. However, Oedipus was prophesized to kill his father, whom he had hoped was King Polybos of Corinth. King Polybos actually died from an illness and not at Oedipus' hands. This revelation suggests that Laios is becoming more probable as Oedipus' actual father.

According to the interpretation, Oedipus indeed carried out the prophecy by murdering King Laios. Iokaste is aware of this fact but does not desire Oedipus to discover it because she is worried about his safety. Consequently, she knowingly delivers a severe warning to Oedipus. However, Oedipus disregards her concerns and calls for a shepherd who had cared for him as an infant. If the shepherd had presented Oedipus as a gift to Polybos with the intention of having him killed, then the prophecy would have been fulfilled.

In scene four, Oedipus learns that he killed his father, Laios. Sophocles, wanting to prove that Oedipus was not the son of King Polybos, also includes the death of Polybos. This revelation leads Oedipus to believe that he must be the son of Laios. The meeting between Oedipus and the shepherd occurs in this scene.

Oedipus inquired the shepherd about whether he entrusted Oedipus to the messenger who brought him to King Polybos. The shepherd hesitated to respond initially, but eventually admitted that he did hand over Oedipus. Upon discovering this, Oedipus had no choice but to accept that he was indeed Laios' son and that the prophecies had come true. Exodos.

This scene begins with Iokaste's suicide, as she could no longer bear the truth. Her

death affected Oedipus so deeply that he blinded himself to avoid witnessing the pain he caused to her and others through his life of deception. Paradoxically, by losing his vision, he gained a clearer perception of the truth he had been oblivious to with his sight intact.

This all goes back to when Teiresias said Oedipus would see truth with time. Oedipus then chose self-exile as a punishment instead of death, wanting to live the rest of his life witnessing the pain he caused. Oedipus apologizes to Kreon and pleads for forgiveness in order to see his daughters/sisters one last time. Therefore, the ending is not the happy one that a reader may have anticipated, but it does bring a sense of happiness in its own unique way.

Oedipus is finally able to live a life of truth and is liberated from all the deceit. He can now perceive what was once hidden and understand what was previously unknown. Unfortunately, he realizes this too late and is cast out of Thebes while also being blinded.