Theme of Oedipus Rex

As a result, Oedipus has been adjust so far above the normal per news, that when it is discovered that he not only killed Laius, but has also married his take in biological mother, it can be seen that his downfall is truly tragic. He has fallen from being almost as great as a god, to an exiled, debilitated man who has defiled himself and been spurned by the gods.

However, Oedipus was at least partly to blame for his tragic end. The most arrogant and prideful thing that a human whitethorn do is to try to out guess, or set himself against the pass on of God or the gods. Oedipus tried to trick fate and communicate away from the prophecy told to him at Delphi (lines 805-810). He was also unify to Jocasta, who attempted to do the same(p) thing by having her son sent out to be killed and feels herself safe from the predictions of the oracles (lines 866-871). In addition, Oedipus, in his pride and assurance in his own righteousness, makes a public lecture at the beginning condemning the murderer of Laius as he announces that he allow "lend my aid To avenge this falsely to Thebes and to the god" (lines 141-2). These lines, coupled with those where he announces himself as "champion" of the gods (lines 245-6), shows that he is setting himself up as being on the same level as the gods, or even above the gods. In his self-righteousness he accuses everyone (including his co-ruler Creon, and the wise seer Teresias) of murder and

In the play, Oedipus Rex, Sophocles appears to be saying to the people of Athens, that no matter how great a person becomes, or how grand or virtuous or righteous they may seem, they are never above the will of Heaven. The Chorus seems to speak for Sophocles when it says: "My galvanic pile be. . .

To follow still those laws ordained on high. . .The god in them is strong and grows not old" (lines 876-884). This means that the proper execute for a person, any person, is to follow the laws given to man by the gods. In addition, however, the Chorus states: "But the proud sinner, or in word or deed, That will not Justice heed. . .Who when much(prenominal) deeds are done Can hope heaven's bolts to chuck out?" (lines 894-903). Here, Sophocles is pointing out that those who refuse to follow the laws of god will ultimately receive Heaven's justice.

treason (lines 348-9, 530) and fails to listen to those who would advise him to leave this worry alone and let it take care of itself (lines 391, 1063-4). Yet, Oedipus refuses to "let it be" (line 1063), just as he refused to patiently seek the gods will at Delphi. Instead, he acts of his own will, out of pride, and so sets up his own tragic downfall.

In the end, Oedipus does ask the gods' forgiveness for attempting to be above other men. By then, however, he has los
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