Oedipus's Transition From the Beginning to the End.

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Ryan Sy

November 22, 2003

English IBS 1-2

Mrs. Ching

Oedipus's Transition From the Beginning to the End

Sophocles' Greek tragedy, "Oedipus" displays how fate and destiny, rather than chance, determine the events within human life. It is this fate that turns Oedipus' seemingly perfect existence full circle, leaving him with less than nothing in the end. During the course of this story, Oedipus undergoes a complete conversion because of his personal quest to find out his true identity. He eventually learns the truth, but at a great cost. He finds that he isn't who he believed himself to be, and he loses everything in the process. Oedipus therefore undergoes an absolute transition from a kingship to exile, from wisdom to confusedness, from admirability to utter shame.

When Oedipus is first seen, he is clearly noted as the ruler of Thebes. The priest in fact regards him as, "Great King of Thebes and sovereign Oedipus..." (Line 14). At the moment, Thebes is afflicted with a terrible and mysterious plague, which can only be eliminated when the murderer of Laius, the former King of Thebes, is exiled or killed. It is apparent that the people trust and admire their King, and so they look to him for help and guidance. This is why Oedipus acts so swiftly to find Laius' murderer no matter what the cost may be.
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Oedipus once again exercises his kingship and power against Creon, upon hearing from Teiresias (a prophet) that he himself killed Laius. He accuses Creon of treason and sentences him to death. Even though the whole chorus and his wife, Iocasta, are against him, his will is still carried out until he himself decides otherwise. Such makes Oedipus the most powerful man at this point. However, as the events progress, Oedipus finds out that he indeed killed Laius. Upon hearing this, Oedipus' whole world shatters, and he can no longer bear the truth. He blinds and willingly sends himself ...

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