Oedipus Rex... when I first started to read the play, I was totally clueless of what I am reading. The language that is used in this play was a difficult for me to comprehend. However, with the guide and explanations of our lecturer, Dr.Edwin, I understand the text better.
The play begins with Oedipus Rex (King) talking to his people about the plague in Thebes. This is the time when he got to know about the murder of Laius, the former King. He wanted to truth badly so he commands for Teiresias to tell as he can see the future. Teiresias was unwilling to tell the truth but he does hint Oedipus himself is the murderer. Due to Oedipus’s ignorance, he did not realise about it. In the end of the story, Oedipus finds out the truth. The prophecies that are cast upon him have come true. The prophecies are:
• Oedipus will kill his father
• Oedipus will marry his own mother
• Oedipus will have children from his own mother’s womb
At the end of the story, Oedipus finds out the truth. This lead Iocaste, who is Oedipus’s mother and wife to kill herself. Meanwhile Oedipus blinds himself. The ending of the play is a tragedy.
Issue of fate and destiny is very clear in this story. Oedipus couldn’t avoid his fate. He was actually avoid from making the prophecy to be true, but nothing was in his hand.
However, I do feel that his act to help the people of Thebes to overcome the problem that they are facing by finding the murderer of Laius. But his act was a real foolishness act as the truth will only destroy him. He is the murderer that he is looking for. If only he had listened to Iocaste’s advise:
“For God’s love, let us have no more questioning!
Is your life nothing to you?”
he could have avoid such a tragic incident. His good intentions end up hurting him.
Thus, we should believe in fate, but it should be in moderate. We can actually change whatever destined in our lives if we are wise. DO NOT ACT FOOLISHLY thinking that you are wise and falling back to your fate.
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