Oedipus The Hero's Journey Analysis

Throughout the tragedy “Sophocles: The Oedipus Cycle” translated by Fitzgerald and Fitts made up of three plays known as “Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone”. Oedipus was given a fate since before his own physical beginning that was extremely cruel of the gods. Through trying to evade this prophecy given to him it subsequently lead to the completion of it. Son of the god Dionysus, and biological son of Laius, Oedipus is not only a victim, but also a hero. It is patently shown that Oedipus follows what is called “The Hero’s Journey”.

Departure

When speaking of the word ‘departure’ there are 2 meanings. One, that is physically removing yourself from a situation or place. The second being leaving ‘mentally’. A way that oedipus has

Oedipus was given up as child, being left for dead with his ankles bound together and left in the street. Though a small family took him in and thus him being brought up in the city of Corinth by who he thought were his birth parents, Polybus and Merope. It is seen through dramatic irony that the audience is aware of Oedipus’ situation while he currently is not for he does not know what lies ahead of him and the fate he was given. Adding to the fact that he is completely oblivious of who his biological parents are. Though many consider a mentor to be someone who leads life or helps control the path in which you are headed, it may be someone unexpected. The words of a mentor, though harsh to hear at times, may also be what is needed the most. Continuing on, Oedipus being the adopted son of the king and queen of Corinth caused him to run into many people. One of which is the drunk man who proclaims that he is not the biological son of Polybus and Merope. He states that Oedipus is to fall into the prophecy set before him that calls for him to kill his father and elope with his mother. Oedipus immediately denies the accusation

It is finding your true place into what society sees. The literal definition of return is to ‘come back or go back to a place or person. In which this first definition falls into the situation of Oedipus as to at this point in the Greek tragedy, we reach “Oedipus at Colonus”. Oedipus has been exiled from Thebes, for his mother/wife committed suicide after hearing the prophecy was true and Oedipus himself had blinded himself. Oedipus now, roams the vast lands of the world with the help of his daughter, Antigone, at his side. Oedipus sees himself as an oracle, an important for a man of his word that speaks only truth. He accepts the fate that the Gods bestowed upon him, though cruel, he knew the gods must have a plan set ahead of him. I believe that everyone has this sort of hope, that through negative impacts in one’s life, there is a higher goal to be met, even if it is not completely clear. The knowledge that Oedipus has gained, with his daughter/sister Antigone at his side, is that with his dead there shall be good fortune on the land where he dies. He gives this gift of fortune to the city of Athens, where he is welcomed and kindheartedly accepted by their king, Theseus. Oedipus has become a citizen of Athens, thus being protected by them. As Oedipus had ruined not only his own life and his wife’s, he torments the minds of his sons. For his eldest son tracks