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Travis Sharples

Mrs. Davis

English 2

10 January 2023

2nd Quarter Essay: Oedipus Rex

Sympathy is defined as feeling of pity and sorrow for someone else’s misfortune. It can

affect the way a reader looks at and understands a story. Readers could sympathize in totally

different ways for Oedipus and Jocasta. Readers can say Oedipus deserves more sympathy since

he was swapped at birth and never knew whom his real parents were, he found out who his real

parents were and that his life was a lie, or even when gets he exiled from Thebes. Also, a reader

can say Jocasta deserves more sympathy because she loses her husband, she must live out the lie

to Oedipus, or even because she ends up hanging herself. I believe Oedipus deserves more

sympathy throughout the story because he goes through a lot that can be mentally and

emotionally challenging for him. (Core 9)

Jocasta is Oedipus’ real mother that abandoned him at birth. There are many different

reasons why a reader would feel sympathy for her. With great sorrow and grievance, Jocasta’s

husband Laius dies because of the prophecy that was made on Oedipus that came true and ended

up killing Laius, Oedipus’ birth father. (Core 6) Furthermore, Jocasta has to lie to Oedipus even

when she knows that he is her birth son. This has effects on her that puts her in a bad place in
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life. Eventually, Jocasta ends up hanging herself and Oedipus finds her dead. These reasons

make readers feel sympathy for Jocasta.

Oedipus is the adopted son of Polybus and Merope, but the birth child of Laius and

Jocasta. There are many different reasons why a reader would feel sympathy for him. Oedipus

was abandoned when he was born and eventually ended up living with Polybus and Merope as

their child. This affects him because he believes that Polybus and Merope are his real parents.

Furthermore, he found out who his real parents were and that his life was a lie. Also, even when

he gets exiled from Thebes. This affects him because he will never be able to live a normal life

again. These reasons make readers feel sympathy for Oedipus.

As a reader, I believe that Oedipus deserves more sympathy. There are many great

reasons for my choice. (Core 10) Through all the things he goes through and all the lies that he is

living through, it takes a lot out of him. He eventually ends up blinding himself when he sees his

birth mother hanging dead. (Core 8) Oedipus takes her large pin and uses it to blind himself.

(Core 7) Also, the prophecy that was put on Oedipus comes true and he will be exiled.

Readers could sympathize in totally different ways for Oedipus and Jocasta. Even though

both Oedipus and Jocasta go through a lot throughout the story, I believe Oedipus deserves more

sympathy. I would agree that a reader should say this because he goes through so many things

that can be mentally and emotionally challenging for him.