Theme Of Suffering In Oedipus

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Suffering is a part of the human condition. Sophocles understands this as he has many characters besides his tragic hero that encounter a downfall. In this play, Oedipus and the people of Thebes suffer as they were victims of forces beyond their control, and Laois contributes to his own downfall. They all endure different extents of suffering based on their actions and a prophecy given by Apollo. The tragic hero Oedipus is introduced as being a well-respected character who because of a prophecy given before his birth, suffers his inevitable downfall. The prophecy given by Apollo to his parents claims he is destined to kill his father and have an incestuous marriage with his mother. In the prologue of the play the Priest tells Oedipus, …show more content…
They begin the play being trapped in the city by a Sphinx immediately after losing their king. Creon explains to this replacement king, Oedipus, that “(t)he riddling Sphinx’s song/ Made us deaf to all mysteries but her own” (pg.9). They not only suffered the loss of their leader but also were forced into the confinement of their city walls. Their grief continued to build as they later on were stricken by a plague. This mass epidemic was a result of Oedipus’ murder of his own father as, “ Thebes is tossed on a murdering sea/ And can not lift her head from the death surge” (pg.4). The people of Thebes deaths are unmerited as they are suffering as a result of Laois’ murder, not because of their own individual actions. Finally, they continue to be dealt a terrible hand as their great leader Oedipus, who is well-respected must be exiled to lift the plague placed on the people. They are forced to be led in the end of the play by Creon who stated earlier on that he, “...never longed for the king’s power- only his rights” (pg.31). They greatly suffer from their loss of Oedipus as a King, which was a result of forces beyond their control. All in all, the people of Thebes endure an immense amount of suffering as a result of a predetermined downfall of their …show more content…
When told by an oracle of his demise by his future son he immediately tries to avoid his destiny as Iocaste explains that, “...his child had not been three days in this world/ Before the King had pierced the baby’s ankle/ And left him to die…” (pg.38). He displays hubris towards the gods making his destiny not honorable. As his life continues he eventually comes into contact with his unknowingly and Oedipus explains that, “ The groom leading the horses/ Forced me off the road at his lord’s command” (pg.43). His arrogant pride as a king leads him to mistreat Oedipus contributing to his own
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