From the moment that I received this assignment, it has been referred to as a classic or otherwise something memorable, I could hardly wait to begin reading it. Now that I have satisfied my curiosity, I can honestly say that I enjoyed reading about Oedipus" inner struggle of facing and accepting his destiny.
Sophocles seemed to be trying to teach a lesson of some sort but what the lesson was I am unsure. From a simple point of view I would say that he was trying to tell to people not to tempt fate or avoid their destiny because no matter what it would always catch up with them. "Offspring of endless night thou hast no power over me or any man who sees the sun," Oedipus (line 864-865). Oedipus is in denial and chooses to mock and insult the seer. He is scared because what he hears sounds familiar, but his mind will not let him accept this news because then he has cursed himself to utter doom. Jocasta also seems to be scared and in denial of the truth. "What say'st thou? When I look upon thee, my king, I tremble", "So much for divination. Henceforth I will look for signs neither right nor left", and "And now as thou hearest, judge what has become of those awe inspiring oracles," (lines 754,755,864.865,954, and 955). Jocasta would rather ignore fate while Oedipus would rather discover the truth and accept his fate. Her suicide, his disfigurement and banishment all symbolize their punishment for not accepting their destiny and not giving any respect to the fate that the gods had foretold for them. When Oedipus gorged his eyes out that was a very gross demonstration of his complete faith that he now had in his gods. Maybe on an extreme turn, this was a way of controlling the public and teaching people that they should not try to avoid their destiny. As in people not trying to rise above their station in life or maybe for kids to obey their parents with arranged marriages or unwanted careers.
