"Oedipus the King"

Paper Summary:

The writer discusses the irony in Oedipus' life as seen in the play. The paper explains that when Oedipus was born, there was a prophecy that said he would kill his father and marry his mother, and while Oedipus goes to great lengths to avoid this fate, it is exactly what happens to him. The writer states that Oedipus is not an intentional villain and is, in fact, an honorable man. The paper explains that Oedipus wishes he was never born when he finds out that the plague brought down upon his people is caused by his unwitting incestuous relationship with his mother. The writer states that Freud coined the term, The Oedipus Complex - a fixation a son may suffer when he subconsciously wants to destroy his father so that he can have his own mother. In summation, the paper notes Freud's concept that there must be something which makes a voice within us ready to recognize the compelling force of destiny.

From the Paper:

"Upon reaching adulthood, Oedipus learns of the terrible prophecy. Assuming that this applies to Polybos and Merope, the only parents Oedipus had ever loved, he flees Corinth and wanders around Greece. During his journey he meets a group of travelers and kills an old man who, unknown to him, is King Laius. The death was truly ironic, as Oedipus could not expect this man to be his own father. He thought he had saved his father King Polybos by leaving Corinth.
"Later Oedipus arrives at Thebes and confronts the Sphinx, a monster who guarded the city gates. When Oedipus correctly solves the riddle asked by the Sphinx, he is crowned king of Thebes and marries the recently widowed queen, Jocasta. Needless to say, the romance is ironic. Oedipus and Jocasta did not expect to commit incest. In fact, they have four children.
"As the king of Thebes, Oedipus rules successfully. Soon, however, a mysterious plague sweeps the city. The sacred oracles warn that the gods will remove the blight only if Laius' murderer is revealed. Oedipus takes it upon himself to find the killer:"

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