The Flaws Of Arrogance In Oedipus Rex By Sophocles

Benjamin Whichcote once said, â€Å"None are so empty as those who are full of themselves.† The words ring true through the character Oedipus whose tragic flaw of arrogance brought his downfall. In his timeless play, Oedipus Rex, author Sophocles unflinchingly illuminates the haughtiness and hubris displayed by the hero Oedipus. Through his candid exploration of the ship/captain and light/dark motifs, Sophocles makes an effort to ultimately bring the reader to the realization that arrogance creates an illusion to the truth and the potential dangers such pride poses for both the guilty party and those for whom the arrogant are responsible. Oedipus’ extreme pride and arrogance created an illusion for himself in which he lived blind to the†¦show more content†¦His arrogance restricts Oedipus from accepting the reality of the prophecy, ignoring the gravity of the situation as well as his own responsibility and duty to his people. Oedipus’ failure to acknowledge his horrifying revelation of murdering his father and sleeping with his mother until the very end, oppressed both himself and his people. Lines 16-17 of Oedipus Rex state, â€Å"Thebes is tossed on a murdering sea, And cannot lift her head from the death surge.† The lines show the state in which Thebes resided, fell upon Oedipus’ shoulders as its leader. The people of Thebes suffered because of Oedipus’ failure to accept that he was the one for whom the prophecy was intended. His failure to see the truth of the prophecy directly resulted in the city of Thebes suffering from a plague. Sophocles uses the ship/captain motif s to represent the adversity the protagonist faces with his country, as a result of Oedipus’ own tragic flaw. Every bit of destruction was the fault of Oedipus unwilling to own up to his crimes. Furthermore, Sophocles’ exploration of the light and dark motifs to show the results of the character’s illusions. Oedipus’ misconception of himself is represented many times with the motif of light and darkness. After Oedipus finds out about the truth of the prophecy, he compares his punishment and suffering to the dark night. (Sophocles pg. 71) â€Å"O cloud of night, Never to be turned away: night coming on, I can not tell how: night like a shroud!† Failing toShow MoreRelatedThroughout most famous Greek literature, a great hero usually saves the day. In the story of900 Words   |  4 PagesIn the story of Oedipus though, the good man with one minor flaw goes through great pain. This pain in the play Oedipus Rex is the focal point for the whole play. Almost every aspect of the play builds up and foreshadows Oedipus’ fall from power, and entry into pain. Sophocles in his tragedy Oedipus Rex creates a mood of dramatic irony using the dualities o f sight and blindness, and light and darkness. 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