Oedipus the King
Oedipus the KingA hero is defined as a person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose. Was Oedipus a hero? Opinions may vary but Oedipus has all the traits of a hero; he is loyal, courageous, and honorable. Throughout the play, Oedipus shows why he could only be remembered as a hero.
Oedipus was a great man, and the devotion to his people proves this. For instance, when the city is overwhelmed by plague, Oedipus answers the call of his people and searches for the reason. “I know that you are deathly sick; and yet, Sick as you are, not one is as sick as I” (p 1257). Only to find the only way to save his city is by finding the killer of king Laios, an answer that Oedipus comes to find out he does not want to know. Teiresias, a blind man that is very wise tells Oedipus that he is the killer. “I say that you are the murderer whom you seek”(p 1264). As King, Oedipus could have paid no mind to such accusations. Instead, he upholds his honor by searching deeper for the truth.
As a result of Oedipus’ search for the truth, he is faced with another problem. What if he really is the killer? Oedipus was told by Creon that the murderer of Laios would be “exiled” from the city! This meant that if it was him, this judgement would be placed upon him as well. Oedipus shows great courage in wanting to know the truth, no matter what it is. Many other leaders, past and present have been known to cover up such truths. We still do not know the true killer of John F. Kennedy because of the American government.
Another trait that Oedipus carries is honor. When he finds out that he has indeed carried out the prophecy, he holds himself accountable. Oedipus might not really be the one to blame for this because he did all this without knowing. Killing his father on the roadside and then marrying his mother was all because of fate. Oedipus takes his medicine like a man and shuns himself into solitary confinement. By taking his own eyes, Oedipus can only see the horror that has unfolded for the rest of his life. “Do not counsel me anymore. This punishment That I have laid upon myself is just. If I had eyes, I do not know how I could bear sight Of my father, when I came to the house of death, Or my mother: for I have sinned against them both so vilely that I could not make my peace by strangling my own life”(p 1290).
Was Oedipus a hero? His life certainly portrayed the characteristics of one, from the day he was born a Prince, until the day he became the king of Thebes. Oedipus suffered through a tough reversal of fortune and became a wiser man for it. Oedipus learns from his mistakes and becomes a teacher to future Kings.
To say that Oedipus was anything but a great man would be ignorant! Oedipus showed the admiration of a true to life hero, more men should mold their lives after “Oedipus the King.”