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Character Blame on the results of Oedipus Rex

Introduction

The individual events in any literary works contribute to the overall effect and

achievement of the intended message. This is because each of the characters is given a unique

role to play. Nonetheless, each of them and their players are related to one or more of the other

characters to the extent that they influence the behavior and characters in the story. It is because

of these that each of them contributes to the plot through the effect of the main character. It is in

this respect that the fate in Oedipus Rex by Sophocles takes place. Although it is conducted by a

few individuals, each of the major characters plays a role in its development. Thus, there are

several connected reasons that lead to the ultimate occurrence. Nonetheless, the main blame is

placed on the character that is entirely involved in the murder, marriage and ultimate result.

Character Analysis

Oedipus

In Oedipus by Sophocles, he is shown to have been born from the myth where he later

kills his father and marries his mother. Therefore, he is the tragic hero. He is both determined

and brilliant and thus solves most of the mysteries like the “riddle of the Sphinx”. Ultimately, he
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is the one to blame for all the misfortunes in Oedipus Rex. Although his life is planned and

prophesied by the God’s or fate, he still had the ability to exercise self-control and prevent the

murder of his father. He let his reasoning be controlled by rage and killed his father out of anger

without using any form of restraint. In this case, as a grown up man, he is considered to be

responsible for his actions. It was not a must that he kills anyone in the story. This means that it

would not have taken place if he could have taken control of his anger and hence actions. In this

case, King Laius would have still been alive and Oedipus would not have married his wife. It is

the investigations that Oedipus dose about the death of King Laius that leads to the tragic ending.

Creon

In Oedipus Rex, he is shown to be the brother to Jocasta, who is the wife to King Laius

and later Oedipus. Before, Laius, who was the previous king in Thebes went to Delphin to

consult with the oracle, he left him the rule. Unfortunately, the Sphinx came to Thebes when he

was away. After he gets the news about Laius’s death Creon offers the throne of Thebes and the

handoff his sister and widow to Laius; Jocasta to any person who would be able to get rid of the

Sphinx. Oedipus is able to answer the Sphinx riddle and marries Jocasta without the knowledge

that she is his mother. However, as the play progresses, it reaches a point that Oedipus almost

finds out the truth about Jocasta. Creon plays a vital role around him. Oedipus summons Tiresias

to reveal to him the problems of the city not knowing that he is the one. Oedipus feels as though

Creon is making plans against him although Creon says that he has no interest in leadership and

lacks cause to overthrow him. However, upon the realization of the true identity of Jocasta

Oedipus asks to be exiled. This wish is granted by Creon who later takes up the throne. In all of

the events, it is not possible to blame Creon since he does them out of knowledge about the

relationship of the said characters. As indicated, he does not have any reason to overthrow or to
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rule and therefore would not have been involved in any plans. It is a matter of coincidence that

places him in the chain of fate within the story.

Tiresias

He is the bling seer in the story. He is shown to have an amazing connection with the

Gods of Olympia. Therefore, he plays an important role both as a diviner and an interpreter of

the wishes and the oracles provided by the Gods. This means that all the statements that he

makes have a connection with the truth. In lines 300-440, he is summoned by Oedipus to reveal

the matter about the Laius killing. He is supposed to speak the truth but hesitates to do so

because it would also be difficult for Oedipus to accept it. He wisely involves him very

shallowly in the crime through his answers. The other parts of his answers are given in the form

of allusions. The only clue that he gives is that “this day will give you birth and ruin”. In this

case, it is possible to blame Tiresias for the results in the story. This is because the results

depended on his ability to tell the truth. Oedipus would not have gone ahead with the marriage if

he had the full details. Nonetheless, Tiresias was also acting on the oracle of Apollo at Delphi in

which Oedipus had to complete his path.

Jocasta

She is the wife to King Laius and later Oedipus yet she is also the mother to Oedipus. She

is the sister to Creon. During her appearances in the play and at the beginning of it, she plays the

critical role of being a peacemaker between her husband and her brother. She is shown to care a

lot about the two men and does not want Oedipus to expel Creon as is dictated by the prophecy.

Therefore, she cannot be included in the blame for the results. In particular, she made a lot of
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effort to ensure that she intervened. She did this by comforting them and even dismissing the

prophesy as indicated in

JOCASTA: “O, by the gods, believe him, Oedipus.

First, in reverence for his oath to the gods,

Next, for my sake and theirs who stand before you. . . .

Now free yourself of what you said, and listen.

Learn from me, no mortal man exists

Who knows prophetic art for your affairs”.

This means that she was involved in the plot and twist of the story without her knowledge

of the critical events. It is because of this that he had the chance to kill Oedipus as the infant but

he did not.

The Gods/Fate

In essence, the Gods make use of the prophecies, fate, Apollo oracle and the plague to

bring destruction to the Oedipus family. They control fate and hence take all the responsibility

that come with Oedipus killing his father and getting married to his mother. In this case, they

carry the major blame as it is through them and control that the happenings of the sorry take

place. It is likely that the activities that are included in the story are in their hands. Therefore,

they had the ability to prevent the killings but they did not. It is as a result of their prophesy on

Oedipus to kill his father that the tragic event happened and the later marriage to his mother.

They already had everything planned out during the birth of Oedipus.
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Conclusion

A lot of factors act as the interplay towards the ending of any story. It is contributed by

the roles of each character. For instance, fate in Oedipus Rex results from a combination of

factors. While others are aware of the happenings and end, others are just used to accomplish the

mission. It is because of this that the sole blame of the results lies on Oedipus who takes the main

action.