Knowledge as a Destructive Force: The Case of Oedipus

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Philosopher and author Francis Bacon once said that knowledge is power. However, that is not always the case. While many believe this saying, the negative effects of knowledge can be exemplified in Oedipus, specifically his self-destruction and his damaging of relationships. Oedipus, king of Thebes, had a knowledge gain that led to his own self destruction, primarily the discovery that he was the subject of a prophecy that foresaw him killing his father and marrying his mother, the lovely Jocasta. The killing of Oedipus’ father- and the previous king- drove the city to become enveloped by famine and plague. The citizens and royals believed that the only way to fix the plague was by exiling the murderer- Oedipus. Oedipus was happy with his

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