Blog #6. Destiny in Oedipus

     Oedipus always tried to avoid his destiny but he could not. Oedipus was born with his destiny chosen and the prophets knew what was going to happen in his future. When he found out about that the cure for the plague in Thebes was to find the killer of Laius and have this person be punished as Creon told him in line 126, he started asking questions and trying to find this killer not knowing that it was him. When they hear about the cure the chorus leader suggest Oedipus to call Teiresias, “But at last Teiresias in being guided here, our god-like prophet, in whom the truth resides more so than in all other man.” Line 354, that’s how the chorus leader describes him.

     Teiresias is a wise man who knows who Oedipus really is and what he has done but he does not want to say it, Line 410 “I will say nothing more. Fume on about it, if you wish, as fiercely as you can”. He is a prophet who knew that Oedipus killed his own father and marry his mother. When trying to find the Laius murdered, Oedipus he gets into a fight with Teiresias and does not really listen to  what he is saying because Oedipus is very arrogant and does not want to admit the truth. Teiresias finally tells Oedipus that he is the killer of Laius, his father. Oedipus now knows the truth but he does not want to admit it, he does not want to say that he killed his dad, and married his mother. “I say that you yourself are the very man you’re looking for” Teiresias says and Oedipus responds “That’s twice you’ve stated that disgraceful lie- something you’ll regret.”  Line 433, this show how Oedipus didn’t want to admit the truth having so many clues.

     Besides being arrogant I considered Oedipus to be a good person. We wanted to find the murdered and save all the citizens in Thebes who were sick. Also when Oedipus found out about the prophecy when he went to the oracle, tried to avoid killing his father that is why he goes away; but trying this to not happen not knowing Laius is his biological father, he kills him. Destiny was something that Oedipus could not run away from. He always tried to avoid them but by doing this thing got worst and he ended losing his wife/mother and he learns that necessary being able to see you can understand what is going, but a blind person like Teiresias who is blind does not see but do understand. This is proved when he says “so I say this to you, since you have chosen to insult mu blindness- you have your eyesight, and you do not see how miserable you ar or where you live, or who it is who shares your household…” line   412.