Throughout the tragedy of Oedipus Rex, many themes are evident. Each of these themes focuses on a different view of the play, and it’s universal idea. As in any literary piece, the themes present throughout Oedipus Rex can sometimes be blatantly obvious, while others are noticed by few people. One theme that is obvious throughout Oedipus Rex is blindness. This blindness does not involve only physical blindness, but also blindness to the truth. Oedipus begins the play completely blind to his past, and he concludes the play physically blinded.
He doesn’t want to accept the truth so he decides to take away his physical ability to see this truth. This theme also plays a small role into the minor theme of self-knowledge and understanding what one’s purpose in life is. It’s ironic because Oedipus doesn’t gain this insight into himself until he loses his own physical eyesight. Another theme evident in Oedipus Rex is that of the relationship between fate and character.
Although Oedipus’ fate destined him to commit his sin, he still is very much responsible for the actions he made. He neglected to follow up on the rumors he had heard, nor did he carefully choose his actions to avoid the situation occuring. Each of these many themes discussed takes on it’s own distinct veiw of Oedipus Rex and the universal idea explored. In the beginning of the play, Oedipus has perfect physical vision. However, he is blind and ignorant to the truth about himself and his past. He desperately wants to know, to see, but he cannot.
The Essay on Oedipus Theme Of Blindness
... reveals to Oedipus that it is Oedipus' physical sight that prevents him from seeing the truths of his past. This quote illustrates the theme of ... his mother. Eyes are for sight but Oedipus lacks vision physically and mentally. In the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, the minor character of ...
He decides that he must overcome this blindness, and begins his desperate search at finding the truth. Ironically he is introduced to a prophet named, Teiresias, who is physically blind. Although Teiresias is blind, he is clairvoyant and knows the truth about Oedipus’ past. However, Oedipus with his perfect vision knows nothing about his past. Teiresias says, “But I say that you, with both your eyes, are blind: You can not see the wretchedness of your life nor in whose house you live, nor with whom” (Scene I, 399-401).
In this line Teiresias is stating that although he is physically blind he still can see the truth that Oedipus cant.
He yearns to know the truth, and to cure his blindness of the past. In Scene II, Oedipus speaks of the suspicion he has about his heritage, .”.. the suspicion remained always aching in my mind; I knew there was talk; I could not rest; And finally, saying nothing to my parents, I went to the shrine at Delphi” (Scene II, 755-747).
This line illustrates Oedipus’ aching need to find the truth about his past and to reveal his true heritage. When his truth is finally revealed he is given both the power to physically see and also the power to see the truth. At this point Oedipus desperately refuses to accept his fate.
So, in response, he cowardly blinds himself, by taking away his own physical sight. He doesn’t want to accept the truth so he decides not to see it at all. Another major theme explored in Oedipus Rex is the relationship between fate and character. Oedipus is not only fated to perform such detestable acts but his very behavior determines his fate.
The crimes that he committed against his father and mother were hateful but not as hateful as ignoring the very signs, which could have prevented the tragedy. By not paying attention to the oracle or following up on the rumors about his heritage, Oedipus set into motion the fate he was destined. His arrogance and pride lead to his fall. In Scene I, Oedipus says to Teiresias, “Am I to bear this from him? — Damnation take you! Out of this place! Out of my sight!” (Scene I, 418-419).
The Essay on By His Own Hand Oedipus And His Fate
Oedipus is the quintessential tragic hero, according to the Aristotelian definition, because his demise is entirely of his own doing. In the ongoing debate of fate versus free will, Oedipus proves that fate will only take a person so far. There is no arguing that he was dealt a dreadful hand by the Gods, but it is by his own free will that his prized life collapses. Oedipus could, and should have ...
This line not only illustrates Oedipus’ uncontrollable rage, but also his stubbornness to accept the truth. By ignoring the signs of the God’, Oedipus’ fate was determined.
In the end, it is Oedipus woh chooses his path, the one of ignorance rather than truth, and by doing so, he is responsible for his actions… A minor theme is that of self-knowledge of one’s purpose in life. It is only through Oedipus’ investigation into his heritage that he discovers the painful truth of who he is and what it means to be human. Although he must give up the throne as well as abandon and destroy his family, Oedipus is given the insight of self- knowledge. His blindness then becomes ironic it is only when he loses his sight that he actually gains the insight into himself he did not have before. The themes present throughout Oedipus Rex each focuses on a different view of the play and it’s main point throughout.
The three themes discussed in this paper are each in some way intertwined with one another. They each relate back to Oedipus’ arrogance and refusal to accept the truth. These characteristics are also what brought Oedipus down in the first place. Without them, there would be no universal point to the play. The themes of Oedipus bring insight to not only the characters throughout the play, but also the reader. As each theme becomes evident we, as readers, begin to understand the moral of this play.
They are the backbone to each literary piece, and provide structure throughout.
