In the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, the main character Oedipus is seen to follow his prophesized fate, which ends in his downfall. Strangely, it cannot however be said that the course of this hero’s demise can be blamed on his weakness. It is in some ways quite contrary. The story is one of a man who is struggling with destiny and every choice he makes effects the outcome of the story dramatically. Oedipus is undeniably strong willed and self-assured and it is these steadfast qualities that cause him to make the very decisions which will eventually leave him distraught, blind, and exiled from his kingdom.

Oedipus is a man of tremendous pride and arrogance and these qualities cause him to ignore all advice, be it good or bad, from those around him as he is so assured HE is the one who is always right that he has enormous difficulty in accepting otherwise. Throughout the play he is referred to as ‘the first of men’ and is praised by his people as the man who can bring them forth out of the plague that has befallen their city and save them from death and destruction. He, and his citizens have complete confidence in th

Oedipus manipulates his fate unwillingly to conform to that of the oracles he is so desperately trying to avoid. His overwhelming pride which brought him the adoration of his people was in the end not his strength, as it so seemed but his weakness. His attempt to change fate played out neatly so as to conform perfectly to what had been destined for him. The nature of our strong willed hero was ultimately, his terrible downfall.

Oedipus has great difficulty in believing the words of others who dispute any set ideas or beliefs he has in his mind. He was brought up believing his parents to be king Polybus and queen Merope of Corinth so it therefore takes indisputable evidence to convince him this is not the case. Although the words of the drunken Corinthian which first tells him of his adoption did cause him to question his parents, their denial does not satisfy him. He goes on to the Oracle at Delphi to consult Apollo through her words of his place in life. Upon the revelation that he is to commit patricide and incest he immediately makes the hasty decision to leave Corinth so that such a fate cannot befall his supposed parents and himself. This strong willed Corinthian is in running away, making an attempt to thwart the oracles and therefore Gods, and take c

Some topics in this essay:
Rex Sophocles, Tieresias Oedipus, Oracle Delphi, Despite Jocasta, Merope Corinth, , strong willed, decision leave corinth, oracle delphi, qualities cause, leave corinth, decision leave,