oedipus
...s in fear of his life. Tiresias tells Oedipus that he isn't going to speak of the past, and that it is for Oedipus’ own good. Oedipus’ temper explodes, much the same as it does when he delt with his uncle/brother-in-law Creon. In this instance, Oedipus feels that Creon sent Tiresias so a false prophecy would be told and Creon would become the king. As usual, King Oedipus explodes at the situation because he is being challenged for his position. Yet it becomes clear Creon didn’t send for Tiresias, and is very happy with his position: “A mind in peace does not engender wars” (p. 33). It is quite evident that Oedipus’ bad temper will lead to his downfall. It’s just a matter of time before it does. Oedipus’ troubles continue when he keeps asking questions, although it would be better if he didn’t. When Tiresias refuses to give Oedipus the prophecy about who killed Laius, Oedipus won’t take no for an answer. He keeps on asking more and more questions about the past. To try to get Oedipus to stop questioning for his own good, Tiresias even gives hints to drop the subject: “The rotting canker in the city is you”(p. 65). With this said, Oedipus still doesn't get that he is the one that killed Laius and continues probing about the past. A second person Oedipus refuses to stop probing for more answers is Jocasta. He keeps on asking her many times if she recalls anything about her son or the death of Laius. Again, hints are passed both ways that Oedipus and Jocasta might be related, such as when Jocasta says that Laius looked almost exactly like Oedipus but had gray hair. Once more, Oedipus continues to investigate. He ultimately persists in questioning a low class shepherd and this time hears what he has been searching for: that the shepherd knows the truth about Oedipus’ past. But the shepherd is reluctant to speak because if he tells the king about what sins Oedipus has created, he feels Oedipus will kill him. The shepherd drops clues to Oedipus when saying “By all the gods, sir, don’t ask me anymore”(p. 65). But, Oedipus continues. By asking once more, however, Oedipus finds out the truth: he married his mother and killed his father. Clearly, Oedipus’ constant interrogation of others when hinted to stop, brings him to his knees with remorse. Although Oedipus has many flaws none of them lead to his tragic downfall as much as his arrogance does. Oedipus’ arrogance first starts out when he is around the age of fifteen and has just heard about his horrendous prophecy: that he will kill his father and marry his mother. When he hears this, Oedipus believes he can out think the gods, and make sure his prophecy won’t come true. His arrogant self runs away from “home,” absolutely convinced he has stumped the gods. Another example of Oedipus’ overpowering arrogance is when he has beaten the Sphinx and her riddle. He now feels that he is the best in the entire city and even thinks of himself as a god. The reader can tell this when Oedipus speaks to the citizens of Thebes, referring to himself as “Oedipus the Great.” He also makes sur...