Oedipus Characteristics Essay

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There are several themes in Oedipus as well. The major theme is pride is destructive. Oedipus, Laius and Jocasta are all eventaully brought to ruin by their own pride and conceit.Odipus makes several comments throughout the play demonstrating this such as "I stopped te Sphinx. With no help of the birds, the flight of my own intelligence hit the mark." Jocasta also displays arrogance and mocks the Gods. "You prophecies of the Gods, where are you now?" when she reveals to Oedipus that Laius has a son who was supposed to kill him and marry her. She tells of how he got rid of the child to avoid his fate. Oedipus himself left what he believed were his parents so he would not fall victim to the same horrible prophecy. In trying so hard to avoid their fates, Oedipus and Laius brought them to fruition. Another theme in the play is loyalty. The citizens of Thebes are loyal to Oedipus because he saved them from the Sphinx. They see him as their savior and can not believe anything bad about him. After everything he's done for them, they refuse to betray him. Creon also demonstrates loyalty in the play. After the truth is reveled about Oedipus, Creon is made King. He refuses to bnish Oedipus until he is basically forced to by the Gods to save the city. He then agrees to take care of Oedipus' young children. I think Creon may have learned a lesson from the others and decided not to make any move until he is sure it is what the Gods demand. He has seen what happens when you go against them and he is unwilling to make the same mistakes. Jocasta shows her loyalty as well. She realizes the truth before anyone else does and tries to protect him from finding out the truth himself. He tried so hard to avoid fulfilling the prophecy and she does not want him to find out it was all for nothing. Even Oedipus shows loyalty in his determination to find out the truth and save the city. He

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