Character Analysis of Oedipus the King

Character Analysis of Oedipus the King

You pray to the gods? Let me grant your prayers. This quote helps to describe the overall description of Oedipus character in Oedipus the King written by Sophocles. Throughout Oedipus the King the ideas and themes of fate, irony, and reason reoccur numerous times. Oedipus believes in fate but he believes more in his own abilities and actions to determine his future. Irony is evident in many forms such as verbal, dramatic, and situational. Since, Oedipus relies on himself he believes in his own reason and wisdom in making all of his decisions. Sophocles is a strong believer in destiny, but also offers the alternative in Oedipus in that he believes more in himself than in fate and he proves this in many ways throughout the play.

As the idea of fate is brought forth by Oedipus going to the Oracle, it is clear that Oedipus believes in the idea of fate but feels more strongly in himself than in the idea of fate. Upon realizing that what the Oracle has said is coming true, the truth of what has happened has still not struck home, he will not abandon his faith in himself but will see himself out to the end. To the very end of this play, Oedipus is still insisting that he is the one who has blinded himself, that he will accept his exile, that he is fully prepared to accept the self-destructive consequences of what he has done. I have observed that one key to Oedipus's character is that he will not compromise. He must see life through on his own terms, no matter what the cost. He is prepared to acknowledge no authority outside his own will. Hence, if he is to be satisfied the world must answer to him. As his situation gets more complicated and things do not work out as he has imagined they might, Oedipus does not adapt, change, and learn. He becomes more and more determined to see the problem through on his own terms; he becomes increasingly inflexible. Having accepted the responsibility for saving Thebes, he will on his own see the matter through, without compromise, without lies, without deceit. Anyone who suggests that he proceed differently is simply an obstacle who must be overcome. That attitude, as we know, leads to the most horrific conclusions.

The use of many types of irony such as verbal, dramatic, and situational ad to the complexity of the book. For example, when Oedipus says:

So will I fight on the gods side,

And on the side of the slain man!

But my curse be on the one who did this, whether he is alone

Or conceals his share in it with others.

Let him be free of no misery if he share my house

Or sit at my hearth and I have knowledge of it.

On myself may it fall, as I have called it down!

Oedipus makes this statement about the killer of King Lauis, cursing the killer not knowing he was the killer. This