Oedipus the King

Oedipus the King

  • Submitted By: dillennia13
  • Date Submitted: 10/18/2008 4:10 PM
  • Category: English
  • Words: 1360
  • Page: 6
  • Views: 1

Intelligence is what helped Oedipus become the King of Thebes. Had it not been for his intelligence, he would not have figured out the Riddle of the Sphinx, and he would have been just another common man, no different from the next. Although his intelligence is what got him his power, ultimately, it is what took it from him as well. While at the royal house of Thebes, he meets with a priest, and old man, and helps him to his feet. “Why here and kneeling, what preys upon you so?” (line 11, page 617) Oedipus asked the old man, and then states, “ You can trust me. I am ready to help, I’ll do anything. I would be blind to misery not to pity my people kneeling at my feet.” (lines 13-15, pages 617-618) The priest, who was not oblivious to his intelligence, answers, “ Oh Oedipus, king of the land, our greatest power! You see us before you now, men of all ages clinging to your altars.” (lines 16-18, page 618) The priest continues to explain what is going on throughout the city, how Thebes is dying. He tells Oedipus that even though he cannot equal the gods, his children are still praying to him. (lines 28-40, page 618) The way his city looks to him for guidance and assistance is how Oedipus represents the theme of human intelligence making him the master of his world. He tells his people that he has sent Creon, his wife’s brother to Delphi, to find out what the future holds for the city, and to learn if there is anything he can do to save it once again. When Creon returns and tells him that in order to help the city, they must banish the man who killed King Laius, their leader before Oedipus, he immediately wants to know who it was, if they ever found him. The beginning of the theme of sight/blindness begins approximately at line 359, page 626, when Tiresias the blind prophet is brought to Oedipus at the royal house of Thebes. Tiresias begins by telling him he does know who killed King Laius, and that he walks among them. Oedipus, of course, demands to know who he is...

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