Suffering In Oedipus The King

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Oedipus the King is a play written by Scophocles. In the play Oedipus is perceived as a hero and a great man to the people of Thebes. When Thebes was is in a time of trouble they would come to the King. In the story it talks about how the kingdom is suffering from a great plague and the King sends Creon to find an answer from a higher god named Apollo for help. Oedipus is a confident King, but as the story goes on his eyes are open to the suffering and sin he is living in all along. In the article written by Heller, one can see how suffering can be a time of growth as it is also shown in the play. The article also mentions one cannot love without suffering. (Heller) During Oedipus time as King, He was trustworthy, respected the land of Thebes, …show more content…

When the people were gathered at the altar, Oedipus stated this, “Let them all hear it, It is for them I suffer, more than for myself.” (Sophocles, 1208) By Oedipus saying this, it showed to the people of Thebes that he really cared and respected them enough to suffer more for them than he does himself. Once he heard word from Apollo that he must find the murder of Laios, he began the search right then to save the kingdom. Needless did he know the suffering and torment that would come along with the truth. Not only was Oedipus saw as a trustworthy and respectful King, but he was loyal to Thebes. As the search began to find the murder of Laios, Oedipus tells the kingdom, “I pray that that man’s life be consumed in evil and wretchedness. And as for me, this curse applies no less.” (Sophocles, 1212) The king applying this curse to himself says he is true and will stay loyal to Thebes even if he himself is the evil doer. As Oedipus is being accused of the murder, he does not believe it to be true and accuses others. When the truth is reveled that Oedipus is the murder of Laios which is actually his father, He stabbed his eyes with the Queens broach whom was his wife, mother and mother of his kids. He is miserable at the thought he murdered his own farther, but he is loyal to his word in suffering as he is says, “ Conceal me somewhere far from Thebes; or kill me; or hurl me into the sea, away from men’s eyes forever.” (Sophocles,

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