The Responsibility Of The Beloved In Oedipus The King

Depraved characters would carry no remorse for their depraved actions, which would make their hamartia one which derives from their immoral nature. Yet, Oedipus shows disgust for his unethical behaviour, both before and after he commits his crimes. This shows readers that his hamartia stems from error, not wickedness. Oedipus escapes Corinth after the Delphi prophet discloses Oedipus’ fate to him. He explains this choice to Jocasta when he says “My fate was to defile my mother’s bed, to bring forth to men a human family that people could not bear to look upon, and slay the father who engendered me. When I heard that, I ran away from Corinth … so I would never see that prophecy fulfilled” (Sophocles 951-958). Oedipus’ choice shows that he recognizes his actions’ immorality before he even commits them, and wishes to prevent his actions and their consequences, unlike a depraved man would.

As explained earlier, Oedipus strives to act as morally good as possible, even if he must sacrifice his comfort, lifestyle, or relationship with family members.

Later in the play, he experiences extreme remorse upon discovering that he killed his father and married his mother and thus blinds himself. The messenger describes that “he ripped the golden brooches she wore as ornaments, raised them high, and drove them deep into the sockets of his eyes, crying as he did so: ‘You will no longer see all those atrocious things I suffered, the dreadful things I did! No. You have seen what you never should have looked upon, and what I wished to know you did not see.’” (Sophocles

1513-1520). This quote further demonstrates that Oedipus recognizes his actions’ immorality and feels shame despite lacking responsibility for his mistake. Oedipus was unaware he would commit such crimes but it was his destiny, despite Oedipus’ moral inclination to behave without causing harm. He cannot control his life’s trajectory and is a morally good character, who still could not avoid his fate to err. Oedipus’ lack of control fits within the Aristotelian definition of hamartia. In the ideal Aristotelian tragedy, one’s downfall is not a punishment deserved for his or her depravity. Rather, it results from an error predetermined to occur regardless of one’s morality. While Oedipus commits acts which cause harm, he shows contempt for his actions which he lacked the knowledge to prevent. Oedipus’ response to his own conduct proves him as an ethical man who errs, rather than a corrupt character.
Through his deep care for others and the repugnance he experiences in response to his behaviour, Oedipus shows readers that he is a man of sound morality. He erred through his ignorance, not through depravity. Oedipus Rex’s plot generates the readers’ empathy for Oedipus, which they could not experience if he were a man with corrupt morals (CITE). Thus, Sophocles’ depiction of Oedipus’ hamartia accomplishes the goal of the ideal Aristotelian tragedy, to induce and expel pity and fear (CITE).