October 16th, 2011 Tia Rambaran 301095489

Mythology 100: Writing Assignment 2

Oedipus the King is testifying that the role of the gods and prophecies are above human error and law. A reader may initially see this tragedy as a view of how the gods are unfair and treat human life poorly. However, Sophocles rarely references the gods in Oedipus the King and focuses on the mistakes (hamartia) of Oedipus. The mistakes stem primarily from Oedipus pride. He dismisses the gods when he answers the chorus (who are praying to the gods) that he will end the plague (OT, 215217). This action is prideful as it tells his people to trust in him (rather than continue praying to the gods). Perhaps this was Sophocles warning to those who were dismissing the gods in a time where Athenians were debating over the authority of the gods. The next mistake is born from Oedipus rage. When Tiresias tells Oedipus that he is the one who killed Laius, his vehemence denies it and he says Tiresias is trying to overthrow him. This anger is a dismissal of the prophecy, and Sophocles is revealing the danger in denying it through his use of dramatic irony. While Tiresias is blind, he can clearly see the truth. Oedipus taunts Tiresias blindness, but Oedipus cannot see the truth himself (nor does he wish to). His rage is also evident when Oedipus accuses him of wanting to overthrow and declares he will kill him (OT, 625). Oedipus brash dialogue only further foreshadows Sophocles intentions to have the prophecy prevail over Oedipus actions. Finally, Oedipus determination and quickness to jump to conclusions deepens his faults. When the messenger comes to bring seemingly good news of his fathers death, Oedipus rejoices that the prophecy is false. Sophocles may be stating another fault of man: the willingness to believe something without questioning it. Even when the messenger reveals that they arent his real parents and that he was given the baby from the Shepherd, Oedipus is determined to find out his natural parents, without starting to see the truth that he is Laius son. He even thinks Jocasta is upset because she will find out of his peasant birth status, but at this point she can already see the truth. The dramatic climax of Oedipus discovering the truth may be Sophocles way of showing how man should humble himself before the prophecy and gods. The gouging of Oedipus own eyes not only represents irony, humility, and pain, but also the realization of his faults. These faults bring Oedipus to this tragic conclusion, and the prophecy out revokes anything which Oedipus thought could falsify it. This is another testament that gods authority remains above humans due to humans faults.

Therefore, Sophocles used this tragedy to show the Athenians that the gods and prophecy still had authority over mankind, no matter how cruel the outcome. Oedipus actions may therefore be a mimesis of faults that Sophocles observed in society, and these faults therefore set human hierarchy below gods. Sophocles makes it clear to the Athenians: they should not question the authority of gods and prophecy.