Five Major Mistakes That Led Oedipus Rex To His Bitter End Essay Samples

Theme of human`s destiny and determinism of the existence are the leading ones in an Athenian tragedy Oedipus Rex composed by Sophocles. However, there is supporting leitmotif of blindness in the form of ignorance as well as in form of real visual obstacle that prevents men from seeing things clearly. During his life and reign Oedipus received numerous warnings and signs that were aimed to prevent him from his tragic downfall. However, he failed to see them or on the contrary had misinterpreted them. One may point out five major mistakes that Oedipus makes which began and finished his tragic end.
The first one is his blind faith that he can cure city from plague that devours its inhabitants. The first oracle asks him to leave the city therefore save it but Oedipus is too arrogant and blind to take advice from an old and blind man. He already sees conspiracy and betrayal of Creon, thus he ignores words of oracle.
The second mistake lies in his bad temper and irascibility that caused death of King Laius. In his youth he met strange carriage on the road that refused to give him way which caused anger and death of all its passengers. This horrible slaughter was the beginning of Oedipus downfall.
The third mistake can be found in his refusal to talk with his parents about his origin and true parents. Oedipus was too determined and blind. He did not want to make things clear even after visiting oracle.
The fourth mistake, again, is connected with his self-righteousness and overconfidence that he knows everything about the past of Thebes. He did not ask much about his predecessor, though he married King Laius`s wife Jocasta who could tell about dreadful prophesy. Again, true power is knowledge not a thrown.
And his final mistake hides in his longing for power and reign. It can be seen in all his deeds, for example marriage with Jocasta, his vision of Creon as a traitor, refusal to believe god`s minister who knows more than any living human.
All things considered, these mistakes mentioned above one may join into one enormous drawback of Oedipus, his blindness.