Oedipus Downfall

In Oedipus Rex Sophocles depicts the two characteristics that lead to the downfall of man, the sin of hubris and presumption. Bernard Knox states, “these attributes of divinity – knowledge, certainty, justice – are all qualities Oedipus thought he possessed – and that is why he was the perfect example of the inadequacy of human knowledge, certainty, and justice”. The downfall of Oedipus occurred because he suffered from the sin of hubris causing him to presume he had attained the three characteristics of the gods; knowledge, certainty and justice. Oedipus was however ignorant to the truth and acted as if he had certainty of knowledge leading him to administer inadequate justice.
The fall of Oedipus derived from the false knowledge that he was not the killer of Laius. Oedipus believed that because he was innocent of the crime against Laius he could administer justice and act as if he were like a god. This belief brings to light Oedipus’ hubristic characteristics, “You

Creon responded to Oedipus’ accusations by saying, “where I lack light it is my wont to be silent” (126). This statement pointed to the hubristic and irrational actions of Oedipus, instead of remaining quiet until attaining full knowledge, Oedipus acted foolishly without knowing the truth. Oedipus administered false accusations and injustice upon Creon; in doing so Oedipus grew further truth and closer to his own downfall. The injustice committed led Oedipus to believe that he was not the killer of Laius nor the son of Laius. After presuming that he had the authority to administer justice, Oedipus must live the rest of his life out in misery, “woes of mine…these sore, sore woes” (144). These presumptions and hubristic characteristics forced Oedipus to try to administer inadequate justice however, the punishment did not go to Creon but Oedipus himself. This was the true fall of