Mitchell Griest
Oedipus Rex
Original Comment
Judging by his convincing speech of how he feels the pain of each of his poor constituents throb together as one in the beginning of the play, it is clear that Oedipus has genuine concern for the well being of those over whom he rules. Unfortunately, this focus on others only lasts so long before King Oedipus’ mind is occupied with the unquenchable thirst for answers which becomes his tragic flaw. With each question he asks and finds the terrible answer to, Oedipus realizes with a bit more certainty that the prophecy came true and he has committed horrific acts. His fixation on knowledge of the past even results in his ignoring Jocasta’s desperate plea when she says “for Heaven’s sake if you care for your own life, / Don’t seek it! I am sick, and that’s enough!” (40). The answers he finds at last, too terrible to bear with any stature, cost him a truly tragic price when they lead him to an exiled end, blind by his own tormented hand. Had he been able to end his search for answers when it became apparent that only pain would come of it, Oedipus would have been able to avoid the knowledge which will define his very being to the grave.