Human Will and the Power of the Gods: Oedipus Rex by Sophocles

The production of great tragedy in ancient Greece was a pursuit attempted by many but accomplished only by some. Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex is considered today as one of the greatest tragedies produced by an author during this time. Carefully crafted motifs, character-developing monologues, and poignant irony all combine to create a tragedy that leaves readers stunned and grieving for poor Oedipus. Throughout Oedipus Rex, the motif of blindness and sight emphasizes the struggle between the power of free will and the power of the gods made evident in Oedipus’ interactions with Tiresias, Jokasta’s attempts to assuage Oedipus’ fear of his crime, and the development of Oedipus’ own character from a man who held little faith in prophecy to one who finally acknowledges the will and power of the gods.

Oedipus’ interaction with the blind seer Tiresias create a stark contrast between what is “blindness” and what is “sight”. Tiresias is physically blind, but it is implied that he is the one of the pair that can truly and accurately “see”. This is made evident when Tiresias states, ““That’s your truth? Now hear mine: honor the curse your own mouth spoke. From this day on, don’t speak to me or to your people here. You are the plague. You poison your own land,” (Line 420-424). His statement highlights the knowledge that Oedipus is too blind to see—Oedipus is the cause of the plight of Thebes. Tiresias portray the blindness of Oedipus again by saying, “Since you have thrown my blindness at me I will tell you what your eyes don’t see: what evil you are steeped in,” (Lines 497-499). Through acknowledging his own violence, Tiresias is once again able to portray that Oedipus is lacking in some kind of true sight, that of the crime he unknowingly commi...

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...o live in exile for his crime. The events of Oedipus Rex create what can be seen as a warning about a man’s interactions with the gods as seen in the final line of the play: “Don’t claim any man is god’s friend until he has passed through life and crossed the border into death—never having been god’s victim,” (Lines 1741-1746). The chorus’ final line is haunting and seems to serve as a warning to future generations, particularly to the reign of Kreon that is about to begin and that is chronicled in Antigone. The stance of the chorus toward the relationship between man and god appears to be transferrable and may be an omen of what is to come in the kingdom of Thebes.

Works Cited

Sophocles. "Oedipus Rex." Trans. Robert Bragg. The Norton Anthology of World Literature: Volume A. Ed. Martin Puchner, et al. 3rd ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 707-747. Print.