Ethical Issues In Sophocles Oedipus The King

Sophocles' Oedipus the King tells the story of the Theban King Oedipus who finds out that he unknowingly fulfilled a prophecy by killing his father and marrying his mother. Upon learning this news, he is distraught and ashamed. Euripides' Heracles tells the story of the famous hero who kills his wife and children after Hera makes him go mad. Both stories are tragedies, which are texts that present issues that are ethically serious and represent a series of actions in the plot that culminates in the tragic ending or tragic component of the story. The main characters in each text, Oedipus and Heracles, share notable characteristics. They are leaders and so people look up to them, they have families, and they unknowingly commit ethical crimes
From early on, Hera made sure life wasn't easier for him and Hercules says himself that after everything he's been through, he's become numb to hardship but at the same time "tolling must have its limits" (1251). Also, Thesseus' presence has an impact. He decides to stick by Hercules during his grief and reminds him that even gods "endure their errors" (1319). Both Hercules and Thesseus recognize that the gods play a role in the demise of humans, so it's inevitable to avoid situations like this. Moreover, Thesseus reminds Hercules that everything he has done will not be forgotten because of this recent situation.

In Oedipus the King and Heracles, both characters experience tragedy. Even worse, tragedy in their lives by their own hands. While the revelation of Oedipus' biological lineage causes his wife to commit suicide and Oedipus to gauge his eyes, Heracles revelation of murdering his wife and children causes him to contemplate suicide. Both situations are similar yet the outcome poses a noteworthy difference. Ultimately, the presence of support and understanding of Hercules situation causes me to pity him less and the lack thereof in Oedipus' situation causes me to pity him