Oedipus

Oedipus and the Justification of the Plague “The plague spreads everywhere, a stain seeping through our streets, our fields, our houses…it can’t be put out, it can’t be stopped (745.)” Oedipus the King is looked upon as the savior by the loyal Thebans during the distressful time of a roaring plague. Oedipus feels the pain of his people and declares, “My whole being wails and breaks for this city, for myself, for all …

…not the “God” some loyal Thebans have hailed him as. “See what he is: all men gazed on his fortunate life, all men envied him, but look at him, look (791.)” “Happiness and peace, they were not yours unless at death you can look back on your life and say I lived, I did not suffer (791.)” Tragically, Oedipus was just what he declared himself, “I am the child of parents who should never have been mine (779.)”