Week 4 (9/7-9/10)
When I first read "Oedipus the King", a few skeptical questions occurred in my mind. First of all, I felt bad for Oedipus, because he had no way of escaping his fate, no matter how hard he tried to avoid the gods' prophecy. He was born to a doomed father, and also born with a curse that he had no control over. Therefore, I thought it was unfair for Oedipus to suffer so much, especially after earning the throne.
Next, I wondered why Oedipus never expressed any guilt for killing the men (whose identities he did not know) in the crossroads. In the story, Oedipus is viewed as a great man and ruler, and every one in his kingdom lionizes him and see him as their father figure. Oedipus did not appear tainted by murders he committed, and that appeared strange to me.
But in spite of all this, I think the series of events that occurred, because Sophocles wanted to convey that man is mortal, and can be bound for downfall at any time. If Oedipus had any flaws despite the great respect he is given in the opening of the play, his flaws may be his confidence, slight arrogance and ignorance of the situation around him.
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