Responsibility In Oedipus The King

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Oedipus: The King, by Sophocles, is a tale of a man who attempts to escape fate, but it is futile and he unknowingly murders his father and marries his mother. However, the story is also about responsibility as Oedipus must bear the responsibility of his actions in order to save his country. Thebes is suffering by the gods due to the unsolved murder of their former king, Laios, and it will not stop until the murderer is caught. Oedipus as the new king proclaims that he will find the killer and will make him suffer. The reason for his declaration is that he believes that he has a responsibility to save Thebes. This offers insight into Oedipus’ character as it reveals a caring and selfless man who first thinks of his people and then of his troubles.

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