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 interrogative sentence 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 experient projection screen illusionist, is summoned to Thebes before Oedipus to come apart of Laius manslayer 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 slip of impulsiveness. Initi each(prenominal)y, Oedipus is a truly deferent, responsible man. At the opening of the story, the urban center of Thebes has been severely plagued with sick herds, stillborn children, and attitudes of despair. Creon, brother to the Queen , sends for Teiresisas, who is the craft, wise prophet. At the beginning of the encounter between Oedipus and Teirisias, Oedipus instantly ac completeledges the prophets front end with bully flattery by greeting him with a truly(prenominal) respectful and humble tone. He refers to him as seer: educatee of mysteries, / Of entirely thats taught and completely that no man recountsÂ(Sophocles 16). However, because Oedipus is aware of the prophets purpose, he anticipates his manifestation. Because Teiresias k straightaways that Oedipus preceding(a) is the cause of Thebes troubles, he is extremely reluctant of sex act Oedipus the truth. He veritable(a) regrets coming to Oedipus, just at one time Oedipus specialty is at a fevered pitch. Oedipus concern causes him to ask Teiresias, why are your eyes so c experient?Â(17). He in truth indispensabilitys to k nowadays the reason for Teiresias reticence. The prophet refuses to share his knowledge and tries to transp ort Oedipus into let it go, merely it only ! coifs the situation worse. Oedipus feelings catch now demonstrable into frustration, which later causes him to plead for the truth. He impulsively presupposes to Teiresias, What you say is ungracious . . . / Do not refuse to speakÂ(17). Teiresias holds emerge even longer, stating, No; I impart never single out you what I knowÂ(18). Oedipus eventually begins begging from sheer exaspiration. He claims, In Gods name, we all beg youÂ(17). His impetuous nature causes him to be unable to envisage logically about the reason for Teiresias secrecy. Teiresias feels that he should not share his misery by telling the truth. Mean trance, Oedipus exaspiration has now obtain anger as he speaks in an accusing tone: You betray us all and wreck the state? (18). presently Oedipus impulsive behavior is no longer private; 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 think logicall y. 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 proclaim 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 intend it, you had it makeÂ(19). The pass pronounces 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 control. His i mpulsiveness reigns. As Teiresias sticks to his pro! clamation, Oedipus reacts to him with disbelief and rage, calling him a sightless, witless, senseless, game old manÂ(20). Teiresias tries to tell Oedipus that his fate is not from him, precisely from the gods. Oedipus believes that the old prophet has purposely tried to cause him trouble. He says to Oedipus, That lies within 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 range (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 give 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 plotÂ(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 embouchure 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, besides 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 than he, not he, nor Creon. Oedipus reacts with disbelief. Regardless of all the reason ! and truth that the wise Teiresias has shared, Oedipus trunk blind to truth and to reason. He tells Teiresias, Damnation / Take you! knocked out(p) of this stake! (23). He does not stop to think that he before asked Teiresias to come and reveal Laios murderer! His feelings have taken all over his sense of rationality. Oedipus unpredictable behavior has aroused a not bad(p) deal of anger within Teiresias who insults Oedipus by saying, You were a bulky man once at solving disseminates, referring to the riddle of the sphinx that Oedipus figure out to save the city (24). The old prophet does not estimate 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 participating character, whose changing emotions cause him to sometimes behave uncontrollably. done this particul ar(prenominal) scene between Oedipus and Teiresias, Oedipus tone is initially reverent, but develops right away 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 necessitate to get a full essay, order it on our website:
OrderEssay.netIf you want to get a full information about our service, visit our page:
write my essay
