(855) 4-ESSAYS

Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

The Guilt of Oedipus

             Vellacot critically analyzes the ignorant Oedipus in Sophocles" play. His theory is that Oedipus is not innocent but guilty to all accusations. He gives concrete examples of the knowledge that Oedipus most likely had about the actions he committed. Even though he possessed the knowledge and knew he had done wrong, he did not care one bit and kept denying that he was at fault. His silly search for the truth was actually used to buy him time. He probably hoped that no one would be able to accuse him of killing Laois.
             Upon reading Vellacott's analysis of Sophocles" great play, I have no doubt in my mind that Oedipus knew what he was doing every step of the way and is therefore guilty in all aspects. His ignorance can be confused as innocence but in no way can he be called that. It can be seen that Sophocles probably intended Oedipus to be guilty and aware of his actions. But by using the Greek methodology of fate, Sophocles makes it "seem" as if Oedipus is honest and innocent because he had no control over his actions. It was supposedly all predestined for him-which isn't true at all. .
             How could Oedipus have not put two and two together and found that it was he who murdered Laois, and that he killed his father and married his mother? If it wasn't for his ignorance he probably might have. He is, after all, supposed to be the greatest riddle solver of all. Then why could he not put together all the clues in front of him and solve the puzzle of his own life? Vellacott proposes that Oedipus had doubts about Polybos being his father and knowing this he set out on his journey. He knew that his real parents were out there somewhere in Greece. He visited the oracle because he had doubts about Polybos being his father. So to prevent killing his father and marrying his mother, the logical thing to do was to not kill a man who was older than he, and not marry a woman older than he, states Vellacot.
            
            


Essays Related to The Guilt of Oedipus

1. Shame and Guilt in Achilles and Oedipus

On the contrary, Oedipus was motivated by the emotion of guilt. After realizing that the prophecy he had spent his life trying to avoid had in fact taken place, and Oedipus had in fact murdered his father and married his mother, he felt guilt so unbearable that he gouged out his own eyes in anguish. ... Although at first glance it may seem that Oedipus is the one with more guilt, Achilles also suffered his own feelings of self-loathing. ... Oedipus had several reasons to feel incredibly guilty. ... The characters Achilles and Oedipus and the events surrounding them serve to illustrate the pow...

  • Word Count: 914
  • Approx Pages: 4

2. Oedipus

JUSTICE IN OEDIPUS THE KING After reading Oedipus the King, one may think that in this story, there was no justice, and nobody could avoid their fate. ... Oedipus, seemingly a good person, also tries to avoid the second prophecy, only to fulfill the first. ... And Oedipus wasn't as guilty under ancient Greek law as he is under our modern laws. ... Finally, Oedipus's guilt. In some ways, Oedipus was the most guilty of them all. ...

  • Word Count: 462
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

3. Oedipus

The Guilt of Oedipus When reading Sophocles' play, Oedipus the King, many controversial topics are presented throughout the entire piece. ... However, Laius, King of Thebes and killed by Oedipus, and Jocasta, Oedipus' wife, are his real parents. ... If Oedipus was not sent away to be murdered, the prophecy would not have come true and Oedipus would never have slain his father. ... Instead, Laius' shepherd gives baby Oedipus to a shepherd of Polybus and he brings him to Polybus who loves Oedipus as if he were his own. The shepherd that gives Oedipus to Polybus tells Oedip...

  • Word Count: 805
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

4. Oedipus Rex: The tragic fate of a tragic hero

In the play "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles, the main character Oedipus is a perfect example of Aristotle's tragic hero. In the play, three main themes are presented: destiny, sin, and guilt. ... Lastly, guilt is the final theme throughout the drama. Oedipus does not show guilt or remorse for any of his sins until the end of the story. ... The story, which is controlled by destiny, sin, and guilt, tells a tale of a misled victim of fate. ...

  • Word Count: 647
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

5. Oedipus the King - Oedipus and Creon

The purpose of the punishments, ultimately, is to cause the protagonists to feel guilt or remorse. ... To begin with, Oedipus's reaction to the devastating tragedy is more severe, and shows more remorse. On his way to the City of Thebes, Oedipus killed an old man unintentionally. ... When Creon hears this devastating tragedy, he tells himself "there is no man can bear this guilt but I. ... In the other hand, Oedipus is more decisive. ...

  • Word Count: 837
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

6. Oedipus

Oedipus Rex by Sophocles is a classical Greek tragedy. ... The theme of this book includes the quest for identity, the nature of innocence and guilt, human will versus fate, and the abuse of power. ... For example, "Oedipus, the simple man, who knows nothing. ... this is when Oedipus mocks teiresias, Oedipus tires deliberately to be ironic when he says he is "simple man, who know nothing." ... The fundamental irony in Oedipus Rex that stems from the fact which the audience knows king Oedipus's true identity, while he is unaware of it. ...

  • Word Count: 703
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

7. Oedipus and Suffering

As King Oedipus and the Theban Legend incorporate many themes, one particular themes sticks out. ... By this quote, Oedipus's subconscious is now making Oedipus doubt his every thought and more, which would put a heavy burden on his mind. ... He had to live with the guilt of knowing he caused all this to happen. ... We all know Oedipus as being prideful, proud, and even a little full of himself. ... It leaves them weak and fragile because they are unable to handle the pain, guilt, and burdens. ...

  • Word Count: 573
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

8. Oedipus

Blindness is the downfall of the hero Oedipus in the play ""King Oedipus-- by Sophocles. ... Coincidentally, he is also Oedipus''s biological father. ... After several testimonies, Oedipus opens his eyes and accepts the blame. ... ""And thrust, from full arm''s length, into his eyes-- eyes that should see no longer his shame, his guilt, no longer see those they should have never seen, nor see, unseeing, those he had longed to see, henceforth seeing nothing but night... For this very reason Oedipus blinds himself. ...

  • Word Count: 849
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

9. Oedipus Rex

By the end of the story the name of Oedipus is a curse. ... The cause of Oedipus's downfall is his impulsiveness. ... If he maintains that still, if there were several, Clearly the guilt is not mine: I was alone." ... When he does not say what Oedipus wants him to say Oedipus reacts, "Ah God! ... I, Oedipus, Oedipus, damned in his birth, in his marrige Damned, Damned in the blood he shed with his own hand!" ...

  • Word Count: 1053
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

10. Oedipus

Jocasta is an integral part of the play, Oedipus The King, by Sophocles. ... Jocasta, on the other hand, does not follow her own advice, and decides to kill herself instead of living with the guilt of sleeping with Oedipus. ... In Oedipus" case he punishes himself by blinding himself. ... Oedipus even mocked Teiresias that he is blind. ... It seems that she is telling Oedipus to be inhuman. ...

  • Word Count: 952
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

Got a writing question? Ask our professional writer!
Submit My Question