Oedipus Rex Research Paper

Oedipus the king had a prophecy told about him by Apollo. The Oracle informed Oedipus of his destined future, which is to eventually shed his own fathers' blood and marry, as well as conceive children with, his mother. As the story plays out, Oedipus comes to the realization that he has indeed fulfilled the prophecy given to him. While he has the honor to uphold as king of Thebes, he disgraces his people with his actions of murder and incest. Ultimately, Oedipus character flaws do not help this satiation, because his lack of self-control and anger, impulsive decision to marry Jocasta (his mother), makes the prophecy come true.

From the beginning of this tragedy, Oedipus took many actions leading to his own downfall.

Oedipus could have waited for the plague to end, but out of compassion for his suffering people, he had

Creon his mother’s brother go to Delphi. When he learned of Apollo’s word, he could have calmly investigated the murder of the former king Laius, but in his hastiness, he passionately curses the murderer, and in so, unknowingly cures himself. “Whoever the man is who did this crime, one unknown person acting on his own or with companions, the worst of agonies will wear out his wretched life. I pray,

Jocasta tried to stop him from pursuing the truth. Take for example a part of the last conversation between Jocasta and Oedipus. After realizing that the prophecy had come true, Jocasta begs him to just let the mystery go unsolved for once. Jocasta begged of him not to do it because she wanted him to be careful of his own life. Oedipus was not persuaded to let the chance of finding out the whole truth down. He was unable to stop his quest for the truth, even under his wife’s pleading. For it is in his own vain that he must solve the final riddle, the riddle of his