Oedipus the King and His Pride

Oedipus Rex is the most famous tragedy ever written. The story represents a monumental theatrical and interpretative challenge. The play Oedipus the King is a tragedy of a man who cannot get away from his fate. He has too much pride to step out of the path of his oncoming fate. ‘Children, why do you sit here with such sorrow, crying out to the gods? The town is filled with the sounds of hymns and smell of incense! I, whom all men call the great, came out to learn of this myself”(91-3). These words come from Oedipus, King of Thebes. He wants people to know that he’s a brave man, and he will find the way to save the city instead of crying to the gods. He expresses his hubris or his pride to the people as a King. His hubris later leads him to a tragic ending.
From the beginning of the play, it is clear that Oedipus has excessive pride, or hubris. He says, “I’m willing to give you all that you may need” (5-6). The people in the city need to stay alive. Therefore, the priest and the people in the city support his pride. This pride is very huge for everyone to call someone “Great.” Oedipus also swears that he will come to see Apollo for help to save the city. He believes the city is suffering because the murderer of king Laius has not been discovered and punished. He says, “I swear by Apollo that I will bring this to light again” (50-51). In his pride, he is sure he can solve the problems of Thebes.
Oedipus’ arrogance continues to grow in the middle of the play. Teiresias says, “All of you here know nothing, and I will not bring our troubles to the light of day” (98-99). Oedipus isn’t afraid of anything the prophet says. Finally, Teresias says that Oedipus was the one who killed King Laius and married Jocasta, his wife and also his mother. He refuses to believe this, “Go out of my house at once and be damned! I did not know you would talk like a fool” (141-142). He