Examples Of Ignorance In Sophocles 'Oedipus The King'
Katie Bertelsen
Hour 4
10/26/2013
Ignorance
“Ignorance is bliss.” Many times I have thought this to be true. But now that we have read Oedipus Rex, by Sophocles, I’m rethinking my thoughts on this idea. What if Oedipus was better off not knowing his true parents? Could this predicament have been avoided if Oedipus hadn’t known his “true calling” of killing his father and sleeping with his mother? His life, in my eyes, would have been better being ignorant. He would’ve lived a great and long life in Corinth and Thebes would still be under the control of King Laius, whom the people of Thebes adored? Ignorance is certainly bliss.
Oedipus had been living a lie his whole life. He was raised by people who weren’t even his real parents and didn’t know of his origins. Maybe that was a good thing. When Oedipus invites Tiresias over to talk about Laius’ death, Tiresias refuses to tell Oedipus anything. Tiresias then says “This day will give you a father, and break your heart.” (Sophocles, Pg. 24) Because Oedipus doesn’t know anything about his true family, he curses at Tiresias. Oedipus sends Tiresias away in a fit of rage. Why won’t Tiresias tell me anything? The less Oedipus knows the better. …show more content…
When Oedipus realized that he may have committed the very crime he is trying to solve, he says “I think that I myself may be accurst by my own ignorant edict.” (Pg. 40) Here, he even finds himself ignorant. Oedipus was unknowing of many things prior to this discovery; one which was who did it. Who killed Laius? When he found out it was himself it all fell into place. Oedipus killed his father and was sleeping with/had children with his mother. Ignorance was the only way for him. Ignorance was the best
Hour 4
10/26/2013
Ignorance
“Ignorance is bliss.” Many times I have thought this to be true. But now that we have read Oedipus Rex, by Sophocles, I’m rethinking my thoughts on this idea. What if Oedipus was better off not knowing his true parents? Could this predicament have been avoided if Oedipus hadn’t known his “true calling” of killing his father and sleeping with his mother? His life, in my eyes, would have been better being ignorant. He would’ve lived a great and long life in Corinth and Thebes would still be under the control of King Laius, whom the people of Thebes adored? Ignorance is certainly bliss.
Oedipus had been living a lie his whole life. He was raised by people who weren’t even his real parents and didn’t know of his origins. Maybe that was a good thing. When Oedipus invites Tiresias over to talk about Laius’ death, Tiresias refuses to tell Oedipus anything. Tiresias then says “This day will give you a father, and break your heart.” (Sophocles, Pg. 24) Because Oedipus doesn’t know anything about his true family, he curses at Tiresias. Oedipus sends Tiresias away in a fit of rage. Why won’t Tiresias tell me anything? The less Oedipus knows the better. …show more content…
When Oedipus realized that he may have committed the very crime he is trying to solve, he says “I think that I myself may be accurst by my own ignorant edict.” (Pg. 40) Here, he even finds himself ignorant. Oedipus was unknowing of many things prior to this discovery; one which was who did it. Who killed Laius? When he found out it was himself it all fell into place. Oedipus killed his father and was sleeping with/had children with his mother. Ignorance was the only way for him. Ignorance was the best