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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 3 page paper argues that despite the fact he insulted the gods, Oedipus is largely responsible for his own destruction. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
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3 pages (~225 words per page)
File: KV32_HV679477.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
and scholars, however, see Oedipus as the victim of a gods vengeance; this paper argues that he is responsible for his own downfall. Discussion Johnston argues that one of Oedipuss
strongest qualities is his self-assertion and his determination to deal with issues himself. As the play goes on and the central dilemma is revealed, it also becomes increasingly evident that
Oedipus is determined to solve the problem "on his own terms, no matter what the cost" (Johnston). Each time a set of questions leads nowhere, he becomes even more determined
(Johnston). Here is one possible explanation of how Oedipus condemns himself: he is not like other classical heroes such as Moses, "a man with hardly any sense of his own
magnificence" or Gilgamesh, a man who learns to listen to others (Johnston). Instead, Oedipus is, simply, "a man who answers only to himself, to his image of his own greatness"
(Johnston). He has in fact set up a standard for his own behavior, and it is quite high; he will do whatever it takes to meet this self-imposed criterion (Johnston).
His refusal to seek help or listen to anyone else implies a fair degree of blindness, which is evidenced in his argument with Teiresias (Johnston). It seems odd to
some, but the quarrel makes sense if we understand Oedipus as someone who sees things in black and white, with no ambiguity (Johnston). In such a case, Oedipus can only
believe that Teiresias in lying and if he is, its because he has some secret agenda (Johnston). This puts Teiresias in the wrong without Oedipus having to actually listen to
and admit the truth of his words. His choice (or inability) to allow himself to listen to another person contributes to his downfall. Kilborne makes a similar but subtly different
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