Oedipus Rex The Burden Of Knowledge Essay

The Burden of Knowledge We live our lives based upon discoveries that others have made before us. The words of our elders influence the decisions we make. In 1597 Sir Frances Bacon claimed that knowledge is power and his words are understood by generations upon generations after. The more a person knows, the more aware they are of the world around them. It is rare that someone would not want to bear knowledge and wisdom. After reading Oedipus Rex’s first play, one can see why a person would be content not knowing the whole truth. Until now, it always believed the more a person knows, the more satisfying of a life that person will pursue. The unfortunate events of Oedipus’ life makes the reader look at the concept of knowledge from a whole

Besides the plague and other problems of Thebes, Oedipus was once content with his life as the most powerful man in the city. He was fortunate enough to take the place of Laios after his death even though Oedipus was not next in line for the royal position. He had a family along with many friends that cared for him. His life was ideal until he gained the knowledge of what had happened among his childhood family. When he found out about these events he was so miserable that he ordered himself to be driven “out of the [this] country as quickly as may be to a place where no human voice can ever greet him [me]” so that he can “bear this guilt” alone (Fritts/ Fitzgerald 74). The truth will help a person feel comfortable knowing what truly happened, but it will not always help someone feel better about their life or themselves. The truth most definitely did not help Oedipus feel any better with himself, but made him disgusted at who he was. Without knowing everything that had happened in his past, Oedipus would have still been living his fulfilling life. Living blindly in ignorance may not sound fulfilling, but it is finer than hating himself for the rest of his