Реферат: Oedipus The King Essay Research Paper Even

oracle of Apollo at Delphi, he learned of what shameful thing he was to do. When

he tried to dodge it, he only made it really come true. There is the possibility that

had Oedipus controlled his curiosity of his biological parents, none of this never

would?ve happened. He never would?ve even went to Delphi and then fled from

Corinth. He never would?ve met up with his real father and killed him. He never

would?ve married his mother and father her other children.

On the other hand, had he never done this, I think the gods would?ve found

a way to make it happen. They needed this to happen because Oedipus defeated

the horrible Sphinx and saved Thebes from its terrible reign. Oedipus also helped

to restore Thebes.

Another theme present in Oedipus the King was, ?don?t torture yourself or

your loved ones over something you had no control of.? This theme applies to

Laius, Jocasta, and Oedipus. First, Laius and Jocasta hurt themselves by

abandoning Oedipus early in his life, to avoid the inevitable. Secondly, and more

relevant to the play, is a) Jocasta killing herself and b) Oedipus spearing his pupils.

They not only painfully hurt themselves, but they didn?t really think of their

children. No matter how terrible what they did was, their children still needed

them and ultimately, the children are also the ones who are going to suffer.

I found a literary criticism of Oedipus the King in the book Greek Drama

for Everyman by F. L. Lucas. Lucas thought that Oedipus the King was a ghastly,

horrifically plotted story with an unbelievable plot written two thousand years ago.

Yet, it still fascinates readers today. He ponders why.

Lucas said the answer is the common reader wants to know what a

respectable, honorable man such as Oedipus would do in such a situation. Lucas

said that if something is meant to be, then it is meant to be.

Sophocles had an arduous task in convincing his audience to overlook the

flaws in Oedipus the King. For instance, Oedipus? rationality. He intimates that

perhaps Oedipus let his curiosity get the better of him, and he was the main cause

of his fate. If Oedipus would?ve trusted the oracle at Delphi more completely, he