From reading about the life of Oedipus the King, I believe that he is simply a victim of a terrible fate imposed by malicious gods. I can say that Oedipus is one of the most pitiful human being that I had ever heard of and one of the most touching figures that we have seen. He fights against himself, in a battle which he cannot win. He represents the tragedy of a man's encounter with his own truth. When Oedipus Rex begins, we find that a plague is consuming Thebes. Oedipus quickly sends Creon to Delphi to receive the first oracle. Creon explains that a great crime had been committed. The murderer of king Laios is in their city and until justice is given the plague will remain. So, Oedipus begins his investigation with a promise, "I solemnly forbid the people of this country, Where power and throne are mine, ever to receive that man.And as for me, this curse applies no less". Oedipus is blind to the true nature of the situation and himself. He desperately wants to know, to see, but he cannot. At this point, it is obvious that Oedipus's action must be to overcome his "blindness". Ironically, into the play is introduced a prophet, Teiresias. He is physically blind but is a clairvoyant. He does not wish to tell Oedipus the true nature of the situation and attempts to leave. Only upon insistent badgering does Teiresias reluctantly tell Oedipus that he is the cause of the city's misfortune. He even tells him that this man who is responsible for his father's murder is also sleeping with his mother. Naturally, Oedipus is disgusted by the seer's accusations, after all he left his parents to escape this oracle many years ago. Oedipus thought that he could outwit his fate and now he is told that he is knee deep in it. Of course, he throws the seer out of his home and wildly accuses Creon of treason. Up to a certain point in the play, Oedipus is completely incapable of realizing what is happening around him.
