Oedipus Arrogance Essay

Often in literature a main character descends from their throne. Most commonly due to tragic flaws that a character posse’s. Oedipus the almighty king of Thebes arrogant in his ways was awarded the throne after rescuing the people of Thebes from the sphinx. Although held in high reverence Oedipus downfall was alike to many other tragic heroes who fell from their powerful thrones due to the startling arrogance of their ways, also their absence of fear for the gods for these two reasons led to his heart wrenching demise. Unfortunately, Oedipus arrogance was one of the many reasons that lead to his downfall. “You pray to the gods? Let me grant your prayers” (Line 245). Oedipus clearly portrays his arrogance by overemphasizing his ability to save the people of Thebes. Making it seem as though the people of Thebes should be putting their faith and pointing their prayers toward Oedipus instead of the sky. Painting the vivid image that he can provide for them better than the gods on Olympus can. Consequently, his excess pride forged the dark path which leads to his fall from power.
“But if any man come striding, high and mighty in all the says and does, no fear of justice, no reverence for the temples of the gods- let a rough doom tear him down, repay his pride, breakneck, ruinous pride!” (Lines 972-975). Oedipus is guilty of doing in of the things that cause someone to be stricken down from the place they stand. Post saving Thebes from the sphinx and once awarded the throne Oedipus think of himself as mighty in all of his ways, respect for the gods never existed. “Huddling at my altar, praying before me, your branches wound in wool” (Lines 2-3). The altar is a place where citizens go to pray to the gods, instead Oedipus claims the altar as his own. Oedipus lack of reverence for the gods bring grief, and doom crashing down heavily upon