Oedipus's relentless search for truth stems from his personality. He is stubborn and very persistent. Oedipus is also very selfish and very incredulous if he does not agree with what is said. For example, Oedipus asks the prophet, Teiresias, for help, but when Teiresias does not reveal the identity, Oedipus becomes enraged and reacts irrationally. This angers Teiresias and finally he tells Oedipus that it was he who killed King Laïos. Refusing the listen the prophet, Oedipus accuses Teiresias and Kreon of treason:
“If Kreon, whom I trusted, Kreon my friend, / For this great office [and] … for this power/ Kreon desires in secret to destroy me!” (369-372) “And it is this man [Oedipus] you think you can destroy,/ That you may be close to Kreon when he is king!/ Well, you and your friend Kreon, it seems to me,/ Will suffer most.” (385-389)
His irrational outburst reveals his rash personality. Oedipus also displays his character through his search for the truth. He continues the search until his final demise.
Oedipus's search for his true identity starts with the ramblings of an intoxicated man. The drunken man tells Oedipus that he is not the son of his parents. His remarks are incredibly traumatic and confusing for Oedipus. Oedipus confronts his parents and they deny the drunk's remarks. The experience festers in the back of Oedipus's mind until one day Oedipus finally leaves Corinth in search of the truth. He travels to Thebes to ask the oracle of the validity of the drunk's comments. The oracle does not grant Oedipus an answer leaving the question remaining in his mind for many years. He solves the riddle of the Sphinx and becomes the king of Thebes. Man years later a plague strikes the city. Oedipus sends his brother-in-law, Kreon, to ask the oracle for the reason. She reveals the troubling reason- the unidentified murderer of the previous king, Laïos: "He was murdered: and Apollo commands us now/ To take revenge upon whoever killed him." (109-110) Teiresias, a blind prophet, is summoned to help with the search. Oedipus's insolent and impulsive character aggravates Teiresias until Teiresias finally identifies Oedipus as the old king's murderer: "I charge you, then/. You yourself are the pollution of this country." (334, 338) This restarts Oedipus's old search for his true identity. As he continues, Oedipus's downfall becomes more eminent until finally Oedipus finds the truth.
Oedipus's identity changes from the son of Polybus and Merope to Laïos and Iokastê's son and finally to his father's murderer and his mother's lover. In the end, the truth tears Oedipus' family apart as Iokastê kills herself and Oedipus stabs out his eyes and exiles himself from Thebes forever. Oedipus gains respect as a result of not committing suicide and taking responsibility for his actions. Oedipus also gains wisdom. His search leads him through incredible heights and incredible lows; he becomes a wiser man through his suffering.
By the end of the play, Oedipus learns more than just his true identity; he earns respect and gains wisdom. He is respected because he does not remain passive; he has the courage and takes the initiative to find out for himself. In the end, Oedipus completes his journey; he reaches his goal. He finds out his true identity and acquires wisdom along the way. This is something that many men are not able to accomplish. In this aspect, Oedipus is a better man.
