Curiosity
The play Oedipus the King by Sophocles often shows that Oedipus is a curious individual. Oedipus tragic flaw would be his curiosity and his issue of trust. Although what really led Oedipus to his downfall at the end of the play was his curious nature. His curious nature blinded him to even consider what the truth may hold or if the truth may be too much for him to consume. As a result Oedipus went from a powerful ruler at the beginning of the play to a pitiful son of Laius at the end. Throughout the play there was many scenarios where he was warned to stop asking questions and trying to find out what had happened to Laius by Tiresias, the shepherd, and Jocasta. A scenario that showed his curious nature can be seen in the following lines when Oedipus is conversing with Jocasta.
Jocasta: Take my advice, I beg you –- do not go on with it.
Oedipus: Nothing will move me. I will find out the whole truth.
Jocasta: It is good advice I am giving you — I am thinking of you.
Oedipus: That “good advice” of yours is trying my patience.
Jocasta: Ill-fated man. May you never find out who you are!
From Jocaste line “Ill-fated man” does this subject to her knowing who Oedipus is or is it a foreshadowing that Oedipus curiosity will lead to him being a tragic hero at the end of the play. Based off of what you read in Oedipus the King was Oedipus downfall his curiosity? Was curiosity what led to ruin him at the end of the play where he used a pin stab his own eyes? If Oedipus didn’t have a curious nature would the ending of the play be different or would it be the same based off of Apollo prophecy for Thebes.
I think Oedipus is a truth-seeker. He requires to know the truth, regardless of the consequences. I agree, he had many opportunities to leave the truth alone but the plague will continue to ruin his kingdom. He can’t let that happen to his people. i find it tragic that he traded his life and family for the greater good of his people, even if he was the cause of it.
Hi Sin Yi,
While Oedipus had already committed the sin of marrying his mother, I believe it was his curiosity that ultimately led to his downfall; after all, “curiosity killed the cat”. I think it’s important that you mention this factor – the prophecy was set to happen regardless, but would it have been better if he didn’t pursue the truth? Maybe turning a blind eye to the prophecy would’ve been easier. Maybe he should’ve just stayed complacent in his current situation. But fools are complacent, and Oedipus is no fool. Pursuing knowledge is no ill virtue; however, in his predicament, perhaps “ignorance is truly bliss”.