FREE ESSAY ON SOPHOCLES'S OEDIPUS REX

SOPHOCLES'S OEDIPUS REX

A master artisan and innovator of the Greek tragedy, Sophocles's insightful
plays have held their value throughout countless time periods and societies. 
Sophocles was the second of the three great Greek authors of tragedies. Born
in Colonus, a small city not too far from Athens, Sophocles grew to know the
ways of people and the lives they lead. He was well known for depicting
people as they are instead of the way they should be like his teacher,
Euripides. His tragedies earned him many prizes in various drama
competitions. He served as an Athenian general and as a member of
delegations to other states. He also played an active role in religion in many
Athenians lives. Sophocles wrote one of his greatest plays, Oedipus at
Colonus, when he was nearly 90. Out of over 120 plays written by
Sophocles, only 7 complete plays survived. Adding paintings to his works,
followed by suspense and intrigue earned Sophocles the honor of being one
of the best known playwright from his time, and one that the world would
never confuse with his followers that want to aspire to influence literature as a
whole in the future. 
Through the use of common literary techniques, Sophocles was able to
express themes and ideas that reflect all of humankind. On particular idea was
that Sophocles believed that hubris is destructive and will eventually lead to
one's demise. Oedipus, the proud king of Thebes has such a fatal flaw. His
hubris alienates Teiresias, Creon, and his people. Teiresias attempts to
explain to Oedipus the severity of Oedipus's actions, but Oedipus only shuns
Teiresias. No matter how potent the signs, Oedipus would not 
yield, (Scene 5, Line 47). Oedipus's hubris prevents him from recognizing
his self-destructive behavior. Instead, he accuses Teiresias of disloyalty and
succumbing to bribery. He feels Teiresias has sold out (Scene 5, Line 65)
and that Oedipus was the butt for the dull arrows of doddering
fortunetellers (Scene 5, Line 42). Such inventions of Oedipus prove to be
both counter-productive and foolish, for Teiresias did speak the truth and
Oedipus is only further drawn into his false reality dictated by hubris. 
Oedipus's fatal flaw overcomes him in a discussion with his son. Creon
confronts t Oedipus about his reckless and unreasonable actions dealing with
Jocasta. His hubris transcends his better judgment and causes Oedipus to
become defensive. Oedipus then ignores his son's recommendations on the
basis of age and seniority as follows: You consider it right for a man of my
years and experience to go to a school a boy? (Scene 3, Line 95). His anger
intensifies until he explodes at his son, Fool, adolescent fool! (Scene 3, Line
114). At that point, Oedipus was far too immersed in his own foolish pride to
recognize his perverseness. 
The resolution of this wonderful but tragic story is Oedipus's loss of
everything dear to him. Oedipus is left a pitiful wreck, I am alone guilty.,
My own heart... darkness to final darkness, I have been rash and foolish.,
To risk everything for stubborn pride. (Scene 5, Lines 121, 87, 143, and 93
respectively). Oedipus is in such a position because he allowed hubris to
cloud his judgment. 
While Oedipus did not directly kill his family, his foolish pride did, I
have killed wife. (Scene, 5 Line 135). Jocasta committed suicide because her
situation, which was dictated by Oedipus, seemed hopeless, hanged herself...
father had stolen her away... (Scene 5, Line 60). His hubris had led to the
destruction of all he loved. 
Oedipus is the representation of all humanity and his misfortunes were
brought about through hubris, which eventually leads to unhappiness, demise,
and or destruction. Sophocles presented this idea to his audience over two
centuries ago, and it is still a subject of much conversation. His plays have
influenced past works and they will continue to affect literary works to come