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Oedipus The King Analysis

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Oedipus, the King of Thebes, is dealing with an epidemic sweeping his land. Uncertain of what to do, he sends his wife’s brother, Creon, to seek the advice of Apollo. When Creon returns, he tell Oedipus of the curse and that it will only be lifted if the murderer of Laius, the previous King, is found and either exiled or prosecuted.

After hearing all of this, Oedipus is determined to find the murdering and bring peace to Thebes once more. He starts by questioning Tiresias, a blind oracle, who warns him that he shouldn’t seek the truth. Oedipus, devoted to finding the exact truth begins to threaten the prophet and calling him disloyal to the State. Tiresias angered by being forced to speak finally tells Oedipus that he is the one that murdered Laius, his true father. …show more content…

The men bicker while Jocasta, Oedipus’ wife, enters the room. Seeing Oedipus shocked and angered by the news, Jocasta tells him prophets have been known to be wrong and he shouldn’t trust that this one is true. She continues by telling him her prophecy that entailed the late King Laius having a son that would kill him and marry with her. She then goes on to tell him that that could not have happened because she had the baby strung up by the ankles to die.

Jocasta's prophecy doesn't help Oedipus’ conscience. Growing up, Oedipus had the prophecy that said he would eventually kill his biological father and marry with his biological mother. This exact prophecy prompted him to leave his hometown and journey to Thebes. Once Oedipus starts thinking back, he remembers that on his travels here, killed a man at one of the crossroads. This sounds alike to the story of Laius’ death, which concerns Oedipus

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