Human Condition In Oedipus The King

Sophocles’ mythical play of Oedipus the King describes a Greek king that has taken the rule of Thebes from its former king who had been murdered. Oedipus is seen as a famous character which was sought after for the king of Thebes due to his victory over the Sphinx.

In Greek legend, the Sphinx devoured all travelers who could not answer the riddle it posed: "What is the creature that walks on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon and three in the evening?" The hero Oedipus gave the answer, "Man," causing the Sphinx's death (Krystek).

The human condition in this play is presented by Sophocles in the form of a king that is obsessed with himself and his self-preservation. King Oedipus will amount to any lengths to accomplish that task and

For instance, Creon, Jocasta’s brother, tries to defend himself to Oedipus, but Oedipus continues to shun him away and is convinced Creon was a traitor trying to take his throne. A similar situation persists with him trying to preserve for the god Apollo’s decree and prove Laius’ murderer still resides in Thebes. He continues to question everyone even Teiresias, a blind prophet, that only answered his inquiries with more questions that he had to further pursue. The involvement of his wife, Jocasta, had to succumb to his stubborn voyage of questioning that only lead to her later suicide because some truth can be unbearable to reveal. Sophocles also shares a part of humanity that everyone has probably exhibited, at least at one point in their life, pride. Oedipus is a prime example of this attribute as he feels he has to appoint himself to fulfill the god Apollo’s deed of ridding the murderer of Laius from the land of Thebes and bring back prosperity to the kingdom. Oedipus refers to the kingdom as “his” and even goes to the extent of murdering a man at three crossroads for being insulted. In an ironic outcome, his own pride is what blinded him and caused him to exile himself from his previous