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Theme Of Sacrifice In Oedipus

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Sacrifice is a major theme that occurs throughout the play as it acts as a catalyst. Sacrificing Oedipus as a baby leads to multiple tragic events.
Fearing that a horrendous fate will fall upon them and their son, Oedipus 's biological parents abandoned him. Hence, fear makes it a selfish sacrifice. The thought of having their son committing immoral and humiliating acts upon them and bringing their kingdom to shame, will naturally cause them to cast their son away so as to avoid the horrid accidents. When Oedipus is a baby, his parents give him to their servant and ordered the servant to abandon him on the mountain-side and have his feet “cruelly pierced with an iron pin, so that it might not even crawl to safety” (Sophocles, p. 23). The gruesome imagery and inhumane act carried out by Oedipus’s parents leave readers wondering how they have the …show more content…

By doing so, he does not have to be punished and sacrifice his life for his people. He also has a reason to stay in order to take care of his children. Therefore, Oedipus’s voluntary act of sacrifice shows that society is more significant than an individual, despite one’s situation. He appreciates his responsibility as king, and it is his duty to care for his peoples’ well-being. Oedipus appeals to Creon to cast him away, so that his “living presence” will no longer has to “curse this fatherland of [his]” (Sophocles, pp. 65-66). The possessive tone highlights his love for the city and his ancestors. This is also seen in “but my heart bears the weight of my own, and yours” (Sophocles, p. 27), which intensifies his devotion to his kingdom. Therefore, to him it is best to punish himself for how blindly he has acted. By resigning, he helps his people to stop the plague thus, making him a tragic hero. Despite his flaws, his sacrifice still upholds the image of a brave and loyal king in his subjects’ eyes, hence a

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