Oedipus Character Analysis Essay

In the epic, Oedipus serves as the king of Thebes, who is told by many of a prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother. Also, he will have children who will also be his siblings. In Oedipus the King, Oedipus exemplifies his anger, hubris and status in very specific ways. When Oedipus sends for Tiresias the blind prophet to inform him of what he knows about the murder. Oedipus becomes angry that Tiresias will not tell hi. He goes as far as to blame Tiresias as the cause of the murder. Oedipus suffers from hubris because he feels that he once saved Thebes from Plague before and he can anything now. When Creon comes back from the oracle, he denounces him as a traitor. He continues to show hubris by denying his fate after numerous

(dictionary.com) Oedipus character is appealing to the reader as it changes throughout the story as he comes to terms with his true identity. Teiresias character is very crucial as he overseas what will ultimately happen to Oedipus. Oedipus is sent to his expiry as Teiresias reveals his fate. On his continued search for the murderer, the blind prophet Teiresias is brought to him to reveal the truth. When graced with Oedipus’ presence, Teiresias refuses to give him any information on the murderer of Laius, revealing that he will not bring to the light of day his troubles, or rather, Oedipus’ troubles. (Sophocles) This leads Oedipus to become enraged, and he begins to shout insults at the blind seer. Oedipus indeed has a harsh temper. His violent temper can be one of his tragic flaws. Teiresias states that Oedipus “shall be proved father and brother both to his own children in his house; to her that gave him birth, a son and husband both; a fellow sower in his father’s bed with that same father that he murdered.” (Sophocles). “I am not sure that the blind man can not see”, Oedipus’ is hinting that possibly Teiresias may have been telling him the truth all

In the end Oedipus can only ponder on if things could have been different had he seen the truth earlier on. Without Oedipus’ search for Laius’s killer he may have never the truth of his life. Oedipus kills his farther and marries his mother only to have come to realize his children are his siblings. In horror and despair, he gouges his eyes out and is exiled from Thebes. (shmoop editorial team) Oedipus is actually the son of Laius and Jocasta, the King and Queen of Thebes. Thus, he is a noble in the simplest sense; that is, his parents were themselves royalty. Second, Oedipus himself believes he is the son of Polybus and Merope, the King and Queen of Corinth. (upenn) with all the events that occurred Oedipus is undeniably a tragic hero. The story leaves the reader with can one escape their