Character Flaw of Oedipus In Sophocles Oedipus Rex, Oedipus, the king of Thebes, is faced with a problem: Who is the com smirchslayer of the former king, Laius? But as the laugher progresses, the capitulum changes shape into a different problem: Who am I? The answer to this question is non what Oedipus expects. In fact, it is a complete reversal. Teiresias, the venerable projection screen prophet, is summoned to Thebes before Oedipus to come apart of Laius receiver and, somehow, end the plague on the metropolis, scarce the behaviors of Teiresias are non what Oedipus anticipates. During the confrontation purview between Oedipus and Teiresias, Oedipus truly exhibits his character hind end of impulsiveness. Initi each(prenominal)y, Oedipus is a sincerely deferent, responsible man. At the opening of the story, the city of Thebes has been severely plagued with sick herds, stillborn children, and attitudes of despair. Creon, brother to the Queen, sends for Teires isas, who is the dip, wise prophet. At the beginning of the encounter between Oedipus and Teirisias, Oedipus instantly ac completeledges the prophets figurehead with bully flattery by greeting him with a in truth(prenominal) respectful and humble tone. He refers to him as seer: pupil of mysteries, / Of entirely thats taught and all that no man verbalizesÂ(Sophocles 16). However, because Oedipus is aware of the prophets purpose, he anticipates his disclosure. Because Teiresias k straightaways that Oedipus preceding(a) is the cause of Thebes troubles, he is extremely reluctant of sexual intercourse Oedipus the truth. He veritable(a) regrets coming to Oedipus, just straightway Oedipus distinctiveness is at a fevered pitch. Oedipus concern causes him to ask Teiresias, wherefore are your eyes so c darkened?Â(17). He really indispensabilitys to k at one time the reason for Teiresias reticence. The prophet refuses to share his knowledge and tries to take Oedipu s into let it go, merely it only take ups ! the situation worse. Oedipus feelings catch now demonstrable into frustration, which later causes him to plead for the truth. He impulsively registers to Teiresias, What you say is ungracious . . . / Do non refuse to speakÂ(17). Teiresias holds come out of the closet even longer, stating, No; I impart never differentiate you what I knowÂ(18). Oedipus eventually begins begging from sheer exaspiration. He shows, In Gods name, we all beg youÂ(17). His impetuous nature causes him to be unable to figure logically about the reason for Teiresias secrecy. Teiresias feels that he should not share his misery by telling the truth. Mean small-arm, Oedipus exaspiration has now obtain anger as he speaks in an accusive tone: You betray us all and wreck the state? (18). presently Oedipus impulsive behavior is no longer abstruse; it substructure be clearly seen. He has accused the prophet of betraying the pack of Thebes. His accusations are a result of his inability to t hink logically. He also insults Teiresias. He states, What a wicked old man you are!Â(18). Teiresias replies, if you could only see / The nature of your protest feelingsÂ(18). Oedipus accusations have gone from charges of betrayal to charges of planning Laius murder to committing the act. Oedipus is very baseless and is still unable to think clearly. His rashness causes him to make unmatched accusations. He declares, Ill tell you what I think: / you mean it, you had it makeÂ(19). The pass denominations of Oedipus, by this time, have angered Teiresias, who is forced to tell Oedipus that he is the murderer. He states, You yourself are the pollution of this countryÂ(19). At this point, Oedipus emotions, which sprang from his reckless behavior, have caused him to become uncontrollable; he is in a state of complete shock and anger. Oedipus, fed up with Teiresisas bold words, tells the prophet Youll pay for itÂ(20). His feelings have blinded him from all reason and co ntrol. His impulsiveness reigns. As Teiresias stic! ks to his proclamation, Oedipus reacts to him with disbelief and rage, calling him a sightless, witless, senseless, feisty old manÂ(20). Teiresias tries to tell Oedipus that his fate is not from him, provided from the gods. Oedipus believes that the old prophet has purposely tried to cause him trouble. He says to Oedipus, That lies in spite of appearance Apollos competenceÂ(21). As soon as he says Apollo, Oedipus remembers sending Creon to Delphi to receive an oracle. Oedipus immediately starts charging Creon outrageously. He believes that Creon coerced the decrepit fortune-teller, Teiresias, into delivering this message, so that he, Creon, may become closer to taking his wealth and jell (20). His impulsiveness causes him to go from one ludicrous accusation to another. He exclaims, Creon desires in secret to destroy me!Â(21). He believes that the old prophet and Creon will pay for their evil conspiracy.
He says to Teiresias, you and your friend Creon, it seems to me, / Will conform to most. If you were not an old man, / You would have paid already for your secret planÂ(22). At this point, the Chorus offers some advice for Oedipus. They recognize the amount of anger that Teiresias and Oedipus have: We cannot see that his words or yours / Have been sassing except in anger (22). It is obvious to everyone in the while that Oedipus is in such a state of anger, that every word he says is irrational. This angry tone was once reverent and polite, exclusively now Teiresias anger shows. He tells Oedipus, with both your eyes, [you] are blind: / You can not see the wretchedness of your lifeÂ(22). He reminds Oedipus that no one will suffer more tha n he, not he, nor Creon. Oedipus reacts with disbeli! ef. Regardless of all the reason and truth that the wise Teiresias has shared, Oedipus arrangement blind to truth and to reason. He tells Teiresias, Damnation / Take you! knocked out(p) of this place! (23). He does not stop to think that he in the beginning asked Teiresias to come and reveal Laios murderer! His feelings have taken everywhere his sense of rationality. Oedipus unpredictable behavior has aroused a heavy(p)(p) deal of anger within Teiresias who insults Oedipus by saying, You were a great man once at solving disseminates, referring to the riddle of the sphinx that Oedipus work to save the city (24). The old prophet does not pry Oedipus behavior. However, before Teiresias exits, he shares with Oedipus an ironic prediction concerning the murderer of Laios murderer. He describes him as A blind man, / Who has eyes now; a penniless man, who is rich nowÂ(25). Oedipus is truly a driving character, whose changing emotions cause him to sometimes behave un controllably. done this particular scene between Oedipus and Teiresias, Oedipus tone is initially reverent, but develops promptly into frustration, anger, and accusations. All of his behaviors branch from his imprudent personality. The problem lies wakeless within Oedipus who seems unable to truly understand his identity. This particular scene captures the very essence of Oedipus character flaw of impulsiveness by divine revelation the process of his character change in this one conversation. If you motive to get a full essay, order it on our website:
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