Oedipus: The Two-Face of Ancient Greece

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Oedipus: The Two-Face of Ancient Greece

In Sophocles’ tragic drama Oedipus the King, Oedipus, the king of Thebes, suddenly realizes that he killed his father and marries his mother. Oedipus shows great concern for his kingdom and his people, calling to “drive the corruption from the land” by bringing Laius’s murderer to justice (109). He summons Tiresias to find Laius’ murderer, but Oedipus becomes enraged when Tiresias accuses Oedipus of being the murderer. Oedipus, thinking that Creon is involved in this so-called conspiacy as well makes false accusations against Creon. Much to his surprise, however, Oedipus learns that the man he killed long ago is Laius, his father, and that Oedipus’ wife, Jocasta, is his mother, all in accordance with the prophecy that he had heard long before. After coming to this realization as well, Jocasta commits suicide. Oedipus gouges out his eyes after this episode and laments his birth. Although Oedipus strives to be a fair and just king by seeking Laius’ murderer, he is often not fair to his people. Also, by lamenting his birth, Oedipus blames whoever saved him for the pain he experiences. The play demonstrates the theme of injustice through Oedipus’ lament of his birth and Oedipus’ denial of justice to others—namely, Tiresias and Creon.

The theme of injustice evident when Oedipus laments his birth. Oedipus has just gouged out his eyes, and goes on a harangue that attacks whoever saved him from his death when he was an infant, and complains about his fate because his prophecy has become fulfilled. He then starts to contemplate on the effects of his actions, especially the effect that they will have on his daughters. He likes the idea of being deaf as well because it separates him from ...

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...ause all the accusations against Creon are completely false. This shows that Oedipus is unjust to Creon because Oedipus says things that are factually incorrect, and adjudicating Creon based on those claims is not fair.

Overall, the theme of injustice largely revolves around Oedipus. Oedipus is unjust through the incomplete representation of the truth when adjudicating others, the unequal treatment of his equals. Cithaeron sparing Oedipus is also unjust because this leads to Oedipus suffering immensely. By doing this, he fails to be the fair king he strives to be by trying to track down Laius’ murderer, and becomes the complete antithesis of his desires. If Oedipus wants to be a just king to his people, then he should take the punishment meant for him—death—because it is fair that since he is the source of the corruption of the land, he should die in return.

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