♛OEDIPUS THE KING ♛
1. How has your view of Oedipus developed over the course of the play?
My view of Oedipus, transitioned from a leader who was portrayed as the ideal image of perfection to someone who’s only human. In the beginning, he was attentative to his peoples needs, and treated them like family instead of civilians. He addresses his people as "Oh my Children"(1) and helps the priests to his feet asking him "Why [are you] kneeling, what preys upon you so?"(11) telling him it is okay to just talk to the king face to face and not by looking down to his feet. He even asks questions, to show he cares about the worries of his people and expresses his will to resolve the solution since he says, "I am ready to help, I'll do anything" (13). These scenes, along with multiple others gave this image of Oedipus to be the perfect king by acting as a king leader. He was practically addressing the society as his family that he needs to protect and take care of, and also ahead of the game by sending Creon to Delphi in order to learn what he could do to "save [the] city [of Thebes]"(83). However, as the play develops, so does Oedipus character. He begins to reveal traits of insecurity; by pointing fingers at Creon and Tiresias when Tiresias tells him he "will say no more"(391). He even, goes as far as to tell Jocasta, Creon (her brother) is guilty. But, through these character traits, we see how Oedipus is not just a full-fledged saint with reasonable responses to situations. Oedipus has been blinded since the beginning of the play, because no one told him the truth behind his past. Feeling wary, he begins to become paranoid, as well as insecure about the people who surround him. Although his actions, of making accusations without evidence are unnecessary, they are also natural. Yes, Oedipus could act reasonable and just try to listen to Creon and Tiresias. But how can he, when they tell him that they know something he does not, and refuse to share the truth?
2. Ultimately what important understandings have you gained about family, society, leadership, etc., through Oedipus and his tragedy?
After reading, Oedipus the King, I understand that those in leadership are expected to fulfill this image of greatness however even greatness has its flaws. One of the major understandings I gained is that, no king is entirely perfect. Despite Oedipus willingness to help, and express kindness to the people, because of the circumstances of his situation his perfect image begins to break from being hidden from the unknown. Before he explains the situation he's in, he tells Jocasta "I respect you, Jocasta, much more than these men here..."(770) while glancing at the the people of Thebes. In the beginning, he referred to "these men"(770) as "children"(1), but as the play went on and the Chorus began to sway from their leader he demotes them from being referred to as family and instead sees them as subjects to his throne once more. This change of character not only shows Oedipus has more sides, but allows me understand that a leader may hold the position to fulfill greatness but that does not mean a leader has to be great himself. No matter what position a person has in social hierarchy, they are still human.