In the play Oedipus Rex by we see that Oedipus embarks on a journey of self-discovery, ultimately gaining the knowledge to his own flaws. After Oedipus discovers his true identity, he realises that his arrogance and pride have destroyed him and the play ends in tragedy. Oedipus is definitely an enigmatic character with lots of conflicting messages and emotions and persecuted by inner torment. He is a classic character full of suicidal tendencies also.
Oedipus's main motivation throughout the action of the play is to find a way to end the plague which is afflicting his kingdom. He has sent his brother-in-law Creon to Delphi to find a solution and when Creon returns, he tells Oedipus that he must find out who murdered Laius and punish him. Oedipus asks for Teiresas whose help he needs to identify the murderer. Teireras says: “Your parents thought I was wise enough” to which Oedipus replies: “Who were my parents?” When his wife, Jocasta, introduces into his mind that he might have killed Lauis, he presses on with the investigation hoping to find someone who will inform him that he had killed someone else and not Lauis. When the messenger from Corinth arrives, he tells Oedipus that he was definitely adopted.
His motives in actions before the play were finding out who his parents were. It was always the first thing that was on his mind. He wanted to know who he was and the only way to do this would be to find out who his parents were. We know this is true because as soon as Teireras mentioned Oedipus’s parents, he asks who his parents were. After much thought and tribulation he again sends the messenger to ask whose son he is. The messenger finally admits that it was Lauis and Jocasta who pressed him to take the baby and abandon him on the hillside to die. Oedipus has now become aware that he is married to his mother Jocasta.
Teireras, the blind prophet, tried to dissuade him from finding out who his parents were. When he returned from his journey he was reluctant to answer his questions warning him that he would not want to know the answers as Oedipus himself was the killer and his marriage a sinful union. Oedipus dismisses him and the messenger tells him that Lauis’s killer is here before him. He is his father’s killer. He has killed his mother’s husband. He is a man who can see now but who will leave without seeing. “Have I killed my father?, Oedipus asks.
