Means To Tragic Ends (oedipus :: essays research papers

Does part re exclusivelyy have free will, or does free will lie within a system of limitations that little by little compose a web of circumstantial fate that ultimately can non be torn apart? The events in both Oedipus The King and Antigone controversially suggests that man ultimately chooses his own deeds and endures fate and the responsibilities for them. These events brought by fate be unmistakably aggravated by certain characteristics within the characters. Oedipus, from Oedipus The King, Antigone, and Creon, both from Antigone suffer such flawed characteristics that lead to their tragical ends.Oedipus possesses a multitude of characteristics, round of them common to other characters, but pride is exceptionally prevalent. This characteristic, which margins withutter arrogance, appears to be one of the dominant flaws that causes Oedipus&8217 tragic downfall. This is plainly established in the rootage of the play in which he states &8220I Oedipus whom all men name the gre at. (p11.8). This is streng soed by the Priest&8217s replies of &8220...Oedipus, Greatest in all men&8217s eyes, (p12.40) and &8220Noblest of men (p12.46).However, pride is not the only characteristic which contributes to Oedipus&8217 tragic end. There exists his temper, which is initially presented in the argument between Teiresias and himself. After Teiresias speaks the impartiality as factual, Oedipus replies &8220Do you imagine you can always talk exchangeable this, and live to laugh at it here afterward? (p26.367) and then soon after calls Teiresias a &8220fool (p29.433). His temper is also exposed whenhe threatens to banish or kill Creon after Creon&8217s attempted reasoning. Another contributing cistron is his suspicion for others, this is evident where he questions Teiresias &8220Was this your own design or Creon&8217s? (p.27.377). He is falsely rationalizing that Teiresias is secretly plotting, in coalition with Creon, to overthrow him. Moreover, Oedipus has an blue pur suit for the truth, which is demonstrated when he finally believes that he is the murderer and that Polybus was not his father. Nonetheless, he continues with his search with an extensive questioning of both his wife Jocasta and the messenger.Furthermore, Oedipus exhibits self-loathing and a desperation towards the end of the play. After the facts have been voiced, he desperately attempts to disregard the evidence and states, &8220You said that he spoke of highway robbers who killed Laius. Now if he uses the resembling number, it was not I who killed him. One man cannot be the same as many. But if he speaks of a man travelling alone, then clearly the burden of the guilt inclines towards me.