The Themes in Oedipus Rex Essay - 2792 Words

The Themes in Oedipus Rex Sophocles’ tragedy, Oedipus Rex, contains one main theme, which this essay will consider. The theme is the general doctrine or belief implicit in the drama, which the author seeks to make persuasive to the reader (Abrams 170). In â€Å"Sophocles’ Moral Themes† Robert D. Murray Jr. cites a critic who is strictly moralist in the interpretation of the theme of Oedipus Rex: Let C. M. Bowra speak for the moralists: The central idea of a Sophoclean tragedy is that through suffering a man learns to be modest before the gods. . . . When [the characters] are finally forced to see the truth, we know that the gods have prevailed and that men must accept their own insignificance.†¦show more content†¦Is the antagoinst within Oedipus in the form of his â€Å"godlike mastery,† as Creon believed? Or is the antagonist weird/wyrd/fate, so that the oracle demonstrates the gods’ power to predestine their creatures? Frank B. Jevons in â€Å"In Sophoclean Tragedy, Humans Create Their Own Fate,† answers these questions: Every action of Oedipus is the natural, necessary outcome of his character and his circumstances, and when peace does come to him, it is from within. . . . the cause of Oedipus’ deeds is not destiny, but circumstances and himself. . . .Sophocles shows how men run on their fate of their own free-will. Oedipus is warned by Apollo of his doom, and he fulfils his doom; but all his acts are his own; neither man nor God can be blamed. The lesson as well as the art of Sophocles is that man’s fate, though determined by the gods, depends on his actions, and his actions on himself and his circumstances (60-61). Based on Jevons judgment, the interpretation of the theme by Bowra and Creon is correct: It is an internal, personal defeat of mastery/pride/hubris within Oedipus himself, and the acquisition of the virture of modesty or humility before theShow MoreRelatedThe Three Themes of Oedipus Rex1106 Words   |  4 PagesThe Three Themes of Oedipus Rex The contrast between trust in the gods oracles and trust in intelligence and pride plays out in Oedipus Rex. Of course, the irony is, that Oedipuss and the oracles’ methods both lead to the same fallout. Oedipuss hunt for truth reveals just that, and the truth confirms the oracles prophecies. Oedipus kills his father and marries his mother. The irony is that the reader knows this from the very start of this Greek drama. There is also irony in the fact thatRead MoreOedipus Rex The Cradle Will Fall Theme957 Words   |  4 Pagesone’s life the matter of fate? 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