The Guilt In Oedipus

The topic of Oedipus being innocent or guilty for his acts is contemplated amongst many. “Guilt is an internal punishment that feeds on itself, resulting in an individual to have an obsessive behavior”. In Oedipus Rex, Oedipus is on a search to take revenge for the murderer of King Laios; however, throughout the course of the play, Oedipus discovers that the assassin is himself, fulfilling his destiny. Through my eyes, Oedipus is innocent because he committed such acts unknowingly. He proves himself innocent through his continuous honor to himself, the Gods, and his people by seeking for the sole slayer, wanting to discover his true identity when his memory of his killing comes back, and by brutally punishing himself for his unknowing acts.

Here, Oedipus is coming to a realization that he’s the murderer. Additionally, a messenger delivers the news of the death of Polybos, the man who Oedipus believes is his dad and the wish of the people of Corinth for Oedipus to be the new King but also the full truth of Oedipus’s identity. The messengers informs Oedipus that Polybos is not his father, and that another shepherd cut the bonds of Oedipus’s ankles and gave the baby to him. Here, Oedipus proves himself innocent for several reasons. When Oedipus encountered the King and his men, the first blow came from one of King Laios’s men. All Oedipus wanted was some respect from the group but instead simply reacted in his defense as any normal man would. On the other hand, Oedipus follows the Gods and the good once again by seeking to “know thyself”. When his memory comes back he clearly shows that he did not King Laios was the King and his father. The partial truth given by the messenger causes Oedipus to seek for the full truth, “…the truth must be made known” 1334’ 3.146), he says. Jocasta attempts to stop him evidently showing she is hiding something from him, but Oedipus refuses and will not stop until the truth about the base of his birth is