Oedipus the King The Innocence of Oedipus Essay - 1448 Words

Sophocles Oedipus Rex Is Innocent Because Oedipus knows nothing about the past of Thebes, he is not an assassin. Oedipus committed murder but unknowingly of who King Laius was. Oedipus honor was his claim against the murder. Had it been the other way around and Oedipus had lost the battle, King Laius alibi would have also been for reasons of honor: for reasons of royalty. Oedipus was royalty and knew it as well did King Laius. The main idea behind Oedipus innocence is this royalty. Regardless of either of their class standings a fight occurred and the one to start had been King Laius? men, or group, the fact that they lost is not the fault of Oedipus. In other words, King Laius and his men wanted to discipline Oedipus for not†¦show more content†¦murder. He tells Creon you will find me a firm ally, and together we shall exact vengeance for our land and for the god?And with the help of God, we shall find success ? or ruin (5) He knew what his duty was and that was what he wanted to follow. He needed to save t housands of people and Oedipus would go to any means to save them. This is an innocent person and a trustworthy King. My words are uttered as a stranger to the act, a stranger to its tale(7). He tells us that he cannot solve the riddle the very skill that proved him great (11). He cannot do it alone. Why is this? If he is so guilty of this crime and he is the murderer that he seeks then why does he go on with the search? (10). The reason is that he does not know that he has caused the grief for his people. He does not know that he is the murderer. Ask what you wish. I am not the murderer., is what he uttered to Creon because he believed that he was not the murderer (14). The fault behind Oedipus? fate lies partly on Apollo and on the prophecy that he was told. Had he been blind to that prophecy he would have remained in Corinth and ruled as a true ruler. He would not have wed his mother nor murdered his father. But why do these things happen to Oedipus? Why when he tries to be the b est does he get the worst? His fate led him there. He was doomed to follow the prophecy atShow MoreRelatedThe Tragic Ending Of King Oedipus1060 Words   |  5 PagesSwain 1 Michelle Swain English II PIP- 3 Mrs. Gauen 27 October 2014 The Tragic Ending of King Oedipus Following the victories of the Greeks invading the Persians at Marathon in 490 B.C. and Salamis in 480 B.C., Athens experienced a period of social optimism and period expansion during the first half of the fifth century B.C. The second half of the fifth century B.C. was also very successful in that Athenians tremendously developed culturally and intellectually. 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