Oedipus Rex Final Analysis

Oedipus Rex, a Greek tragedy written by Sophocles, focuses on the rise and fall of Oedipus along with the intricate intersection of fate and destiny. Throughout the play, the audience follows Oedipus on his journey as a prideful, yet figuratively blind king to a man stricken by tragedy and self-mutilating himself to become literally blind, as he is not worthy of his sight, and deserves to live in darkness. Many seek the truth, much like him, but once the revelation comes to light, the final scene of the play shows the devastating cost of learning the truth, thus presenting the evolution of the fallen King Oedipus.

Exodus is opened by the second messenger revealing the climactic and devastating death of Jocasta who has hung herself after learning the truth. Once Oedipus found her, he immediately used her golden brooches to blind himself. “He struck at his eyes – not once but many times; / And the blood spattered his beard / Bursting from his ruined sockets like red hail” (Exodus 51-53) is a powerful, yet disturbing usage of diction that vividly paints an image to strike both pity and fear in the readers - pity, for the dishonored king and the way the events unfolded for him, but also fear for the way tragic events affect individuals

Oedipus holds an optimistic viewpoint, despite the tragedy he is enduring, and he still encourages them to remain happy. It is another admirable trait of his that the audience can appreciate in him. Rather than leaving a bitter taste in everyone’s mouths, he tries to plant the seed of happiness in the youth, which is something difficult to do in the face of an unfortunate tragedy. However, the choragos has a different, more negative message to leave for the audience that inflicts the fear a tragedy must infuse upon its