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Maeve Hammond
Mrs. Rutan
AP Literature and Composition
5 August 2013

Finding Humanity in the Unlikeliest of Places: Between the Pages of Oedipus Rex


Sophocles Theban play, Oedipus Rex, is still today held in high esteem as a classic
portrayal of mans inability to surpass fate. The story of Oedipus Rex begins with the dilemma
of a king who, while attempting to rid his cityThebesof an infectious plague, discovers he is
trapped in the throws of his own inevitable, unstoppable demise. Aside from the plays
relatively typical, yet remarkable, Greek epic genre that interests a modern-day audience, we
readers are moved by how relatable Oedipus as a character is: if we dont see the plays
protagonist in ourselves, we surely see him in the worldly leaders of the past and even of today.
As the play unfolds, the audience is captured by the relationships between a king and his cohorts;
these associations still characterize the world in 2013. By interweaving remnants of abnormality
in Oedipus Rex, Sophocles displays how even the mightiest, most formidable figures on earth are
consequently only human.
The underlying foundation of Oedipus Rex is the grim realization that humans have very
few powers over their fate and future. The actual text of the play indicates this idea as soon as
the blind prophet, Tiresias, is introduced. Oedipus is given word by one of his loyal companions,
Creon, that the cause of the plague is the existence of the former Theban kings killer. With the
quote, I say you are the murderer you hunt (Sophocles, 413), Tiresias tells Oedipus he
unknowingly murdered the former king, and he must now pay for his mistake with his life in
order to save his kingdom. The tragedy of fate (Fagles, 131)or inability of man to control
his inevitable death, discussed in the introduction to Oedipus Rexis held consistent throughout


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the first-half of the play with the aid of Thebes dependence on mysticism. When Oedipus
questions the validity of Tiresiass foreboding proclamation, Creon replies, Do you want proof?
Go to Delphi yourself, examine the oracle and see if Ive reported the message word-for-word
(Sophocles, 676-678). This line is one of the numerous examples of how reliant the Greek
culture was on fortune telling during the time Oedipus Rex was written. To me, it is evident
that the notion of humans independently deciding their own future had not yet surfaced. Ancient
Greeks outlook on how fate dictated life and death certainly helps to amplify a readers
affirmation in the tragedy of destiny, altogether making Oedipuss challenges realistic.
Oedipusdubbed as a man of action, swift and vigorous action [with a] markedly
Athenian characteristic (Flagles, 138)is known for his resilient and unwavering leadership
skills. We see the more tyrannical side of Oedipus emergequite ironicallywhen tries to
console his people. For example, Oedipus attempts to comfort the people of Thebes with the
quote, Well I know you are sick to death, all of you, but as sick as you are, not one is sick as I
(Sophocles, 72-74); to me, in this statement he actually appears more self-concerned and
condescending than compassionate. How could one man possibly feel more than the weight of
an entire city plaguedliterallywith grief and pain? Again, we see the same egotistical
behavior with the quote, You pray to the gods? Let me grant your prayers (Sophocles, 245);
this indicates Oedipus thinks so highly of himself, he unquestionably believes his power exceeds
that of hundreds of the most formidable deities who head Thebes religion. In addition, when
Oedipus feels someone is against him, he becomes paranoid, neurotic, and downright
melodramatic. For instance, when he believes Tiresias and Creon were lying about the
prediction of the oracle, he bombards them with ludicrous insults, like You, plotting to kill me,
kill the kingI see it all, the marauding thief himself scheming to steal my crown and power


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(Sophocles, 596-598). Oedipuss conduct reminds modern readers that throughout history, we
have seen similar behaviors by other rulers, especially by heads of government in positions
similar to Oedipuss: at times, they can be haughty and irrational, but only because of the initial
obsession of their citizens overall wellbeing.
Although Oedipuss emotions can at times be a bit over-the-top, the audience can still
relate to how they stem from the primary concern of his subjects and his desire to maintain his
title as king. The provided introduction to Oedipus Rexwritten by Robert Faglesincludes a
brief passage by Sigmund Freud on tragedy of fates prominent theme in Sophocles play. One
of the most important sentences of Freuds passage is, the lesson which, it is said, the deeply
moved spectator should learn from the tragedy is submission to the divine will and realization of
his own impotence (Freud, 132); this concept seems to be a very hard notion for both our
protagonist and humankind to grasp. Truly, humanity has hardly changed in the two millennia
since Oedipus Rex was written: it is a universal sentiment that no one wants to feel insignificant
or powerless to their fate and future. Even mighty Oedipus the King did not want to admit his
impotenceeven for the benefit of his kingdomwhen he denied his gravities presented by
Tiresias and Creon. Modern readers easily relate to this feeling, with a certain sense of relief to
see that even a powerful figure like Oedipus could so humanly have denial issues.
Like Oedipus, the audience knows the outcome of our protagonists future by the first
few pages of the play; however, the plots spoil hardly puts a damper on the suspense. As Ithe
readeram given insight into Oedipuss fate, I am excited to see how his actions will influence
the plays plot and characters. Will he succumb to his flawed desire to avoid destiny? Or will he
accept his demise in order to save Thebes? The outcome of Oedipuss journey alongside his fate
will give readers an example of human act in the face of the tragedy of destiny.