Oedipus Rex provokes major thought on all levels. While reading the story, I kept thinking about Oedipus's complex character. He seems like a man full of immense rage, yet he an adequate leader. In the time of Thebe's plague, he strongly sought to ruin the pollution of the state for his people. However, I find it so hard to believe he killed a man over such a small dilemma. I am also so shocked Oedipus did not find the age difference between him and his mother weird. It must have been at least an eighteen year gap. Maybe it was common at the time, yet I still find it hard to believe. I also found it disturbing how Oedipus used the brooches of Jacosta to stab his on eyes out: a little extreme, don't you think?
Oedipus's major character flaws lie in his stubbornness and ignorance. To begin, he unknowingly killed his father due to his thick head. He also became extremely anger during a bar fight. Still, when the messenger and prophet told him of his murder, he automatically accused the messenger of treason. He could not grasp the thought of him being the killer, despite the wisdom of the prophet. He even goes as far as to say prophecies do not hold true, dismissing the concept of destiny and fate. His stubbornness is a product of his ignorance. He must be clever as he solved the riddle of the Sphinx, yet how could he not put the pieces together sooner. How could have not crossed his mind? Even when he learns he is not the true son of Polybus, the King of Corinth, he assumes his mother is a slave. He already has enough information from Jocosta and the many oracles and prophets to piece information together.
Oedipus must symbolize the ignorance of man and man's strong will to go against the unwanted. His blinding ignorance may have been the reason for his unfortunate fate, which could not be over powered by any man. Oedipus continually tries to deny the prophecies, or fate, but in the end, destiny will show itself. Oedipus acts similar to Laius, who also tried rearrange his destiny. Neither trials worked, showing the superiority of higher powers over man. As discussed in class, Sophocles cleverly uses dramatic irony to put the role of man in perspective for the readers. He creates the position of an ominous god for the reader, while the characters become the ignorant men in the world to show there is no evading what is already written - destiny. By putting us the readers as temporary gods, he shows us the foolishness of when we try to escape fate as man.
Another thing I found intriguing was Creon's response to Oedipus accusing Creon of trying to take the throne. Although it was a minor detail, I found it extremely insightful as Creon says the position of king is harder but equally beneficial as a lower position. To me, this resonated the idea that a true leader doesn't do for himself so he may gain over his people, but rather he works so all his people may have the same benefits and an easier time. As an aspiring leader, I found this to be a strong statement in the play.
Overall, Oedipus Rex had a lot of depth for such a short story.
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