Ignorance In Oedipus The King

“Not knowing information that causes [one] pain and leaves [one] worse off is more pleasant than knowing that information” (Paul Hudson). Oedipus Rex, a classic Greek tragedy by Sophocles, tells of King Oedipus and the consequences of a curious mind. Throughout the play, Oedipus gains more knowledge of his heritage, causing trouble for himself and his peers. Rather than pursuing justification, remaining unaware of sufferings and tragedies allows one to live more peacefully. Blissful incognizance of an individual enables the guiltless uninvolvement in suffering. At the exposition of the play, the priest graphically describes the plague-ridden condition of the the city. In reply, Oedipus says, “I have been in tears for a long while” (68); this informs the reader of the pain that some knowledge causes. In this case, if Oedipus had not known of his people’s agony, he could have
When Oedipus pressures Teiresias for information, he exclaims, “How dreadful knowledge of the truth can be when there’s no help in the truth!” (304. 305). Teiresias shows a different view on the maxim, “ignorance is bliss,” by saying that when the truth of an event causes pain, the better decision exists as ignorance. Since the question arises of how one would know if the truth produces grief, an individual should instead choose to remain ignorant to avoid the possibility of suffering. Jocasta further proves this point when she asserts, “For God’s love, let us have no more questioning!” (1004). Her harsh tone displays her sincere wish to cease the likelihood of discovering an agonizing truth. She also shows faith in a common belief of the time period: that fate does not hide essential facts from a person. When an individual lacks the desire to pursue knowledge in any form, they find themselves in a more convenient way of life without responsibility for