How Is Oedipus Selfish
Oedipus Rex is one of the tragedies of Sophocles. Oedipus is a king and has the strength and the power of a king. For that reason Oedipus suffers from a tragic flaw which is his excessive pride. This pride makes him fall from status. Also, Oedipus is responsible for his downfall. We can see his tragic flaw in the exposition, with the announcement that makes to his people, his discussions with Kreon, Teiresias and Iokaste. Moreover, the priest who provides the background, the exposition, that Oedipus is indeed a tragic hero.
Oedipus has a paternalistic attitude. He refers into citizens, men, women, with the word “children” and he mentions the word “children” three times. This attitude shows us that Oedipus is very proud of himself and very …show more content…
“I have come myself to bear you-I, Oedipus, who bear the famous name.” , “Then once more I must bring what is dark to light.”
Furthermore, we can see in his announcement that Oedipus is in a hurry, he does not want to waste his time, Also, we can see another repetition of the I, “I am not wasting time: Kreon spoke of this, and I have sent for him”. He makes decisions very quickly. We can understand that Oedipus has not common sense. He is not a cautious man. Also, he is quick in thought and action.
Moreover, we can see some other characteristics of his character in his discussion with Teiresias. Teiresias is a blind priest of Apollo and he knows the truth. Oedipus gets angry because Teiresias does not want to speak. The word “rage” is repeated twice. With only fury and rage in his mind can not think with logic or clearly. Teiresias mentions the word “prudent’. He means that Oedipus who suffers from excessive pride is not prudent. Another point of his anger is when Oedipus commits hubris and blasphemy: “What a wicked old man you are! You’d try a stone Patience!” We can see that Oedipus is very selfish. Oedipus is blind to the pattern of the events that define his life. Oedipus is so blind that considers Teiresias responsible of the murder of Laios. Oedipus is also unreasonable, violent and as a result of this accuses Teiresias and Kreon for the murder of Laios. We can also
Oedipus has a paternalistic attitude. He refers into citizens, men, women, with the word “children” and he mentions the word “children” three times. This attitude shows us that Oedipus is very proud of himself and very …show more content…
“I have come myself to bear you-I, Oedipus, who bear the famous name.” , “Then once more I must bring what is dark to light.”
Furthermore, we can see in his announcement that Oedipus is in a hurry, he does not want to waste his time, Also, we can see another repetition of the I, “I am not wasting time: Kreon spoke of this, and I have sent for him”. He makes decisions very quickly. We can understand that Oedipus has not common sense. He is not a cautious man. Also, he is quick in thought and action.
Moreover, we can see some other characteristics of his character in his discussion with Teiresias. Teiresias is a blind priest of Apollo and he knows the truth. Oedipus gets angry because Teiresias does not want to speak. The word “rage” is repeated twice. With only fury and rage in his mind can not think with logic or clearly. Teiresias mentions the word “prudent’. He means that Oedipus who suffers from excessive pride is not prudent. Another point of his anger is when Oedipus commits hubris and blasphemy: “What a wicked old man you are! You’d try a stone Patience!” We can see that Oedipus is very selfish. Oedipus is blind to the pattern of the events that define his life. Oedipus is so blind that considers Teiresias responsible of the murder of Laios. Oedipus is also unreasonable, violent and as a result of this accuses Teiresias and Kreon for the murder of Laios. We can also