Oedipus Rex Provides Insight On The Human Condition example essay topic

In Greek mythology, humans are actors to the gods and only represent a role in the play of life. Oedipus Rex, written by the Greek poet Sophocles, who portrays the human condition not only through plot, but also the characters' behaviour. The human condition is stated as the way humans act, react and respond to changes in life. The play is shaped through the effects of destiny and how knowing one's future can control a person's way of life. Oedipus Rex relates to the human condition through humanity's fear of destiny, how humans are irrational to one another and peoplekind's mental blindness. The entire play is a result of destiny, moreover how fate, especially when negative, can show that humans are cowards.

King Laios, the father of Oedipus, tries to outwit the gods as an attempt to hold onto power and save his own life. Laios leaves Oedipus pinned to the mountain Kithaeron to prevent the prophecy that Oedipus will kill Laios. Oedipus is left on the mount so Laios is not accused for the murder of his son. Laios shows how humans strive to hold onto power, but also the ruthlessness that they will go towards to hold that power. Oedipus like his father finds his destiny and decides to take some course of action to prevent the inevitable. To avoid his future sins, Oedipus can come up with only one option, which is run away in hope to overcome the gods.

Oedipus could have decided to stay in Corinth and faced his destiny even though it would have lead to persecution by the people. However, Oedipus flees, demonstrating again that when humans see what the future holds for them, they will take every precaution necessary to prevent a negative outcome. Instead of thinking out logically, the characters in Oedipus Rex turn to savage and unorthodox methods to solve their problems and issues. When Oedipus confronts the shepherd and asks where he found the baby, Oedipus displays the dangerous hunger for truth in humans. Oedipus not only binds the old shepherd to find where he found the infant, but also threatens to kill him if he does not speak. The shepherd, who saved Oedipus as a child, strives to hide the truth so that Oedipus will not discover the unspeakable acts that he come to past.

Humans want to accomplish goals, wherever it is reaching the Moon or stopping a global war, people strive to conqueror feats even at the price of another person's life. Oedipus, similar to humanity, has the ability to love and hate and to make war or peace. When Oedipus passes his father where the three roads meet, he strikes his father and kills him out of rage. Instead of letting the group of men pass on the road, Oedipus displays another negative aspect of humanity.

People create their own problems and misery through the chaotic and unjust actions they commit. By not only observing the plot but also actions does the viewer realize how the human race has a tendency to use force to solve problems. Through the ignorance of humans, Oedipus Rex displays the mental blindness that shows itself when people refuse to accept the truth. Even when a person is told the truth they usually do not believe until they find the evidence for themselves. Oedipus learns he is the murder of Laios but pays no attention and insults the blind and elderly prophet Tiresias for the late King's death. Oedipus, like humans, does not accept his fault unless there is support to prove it.

Keron becomes the second victim to human blindness and is questioned for his loyalty. When Keron returns to Thebes after following King Oedipus' instructions he learns that Oedipus accuses him of murder and treachery. Even when Oedipus has no information or proof that Keron wants his throne Oedipus makes illogical statements. This gives a clear example of how well humans trust one another and the consuming force to maintain power. The danger of ignorance can be fatal, but more importantly it shows how humans reject to see reality. Isokast^e realizes that Oedipus is her son, but tells Oedipus to stop searching for the murder of Laios because she does not want to believe that she has committed such unspeakable acts.

Isokast^e's attitude not only explains how humans are blind to truth but also this blindness is a want for humans. Through blindness people are allowed to create an imaginary world for themselves where truth does not exist. However, since the gods, truth, do exist, in Greek circumstance, the play acknowledges the power of the gods. Humanity's desperate struggle to survive, ability to come to radical conclusions and humankind's desire to be informed only when the evidence suits them can be found within the play. Oedipus Rex allows a person to witness the result of knowing one's destiny and strength of one's character. That humans act irrational towards one another as well as their ability to make drastic decisions.

In the end, Oedipus Rex portrays human blindness and the devastating effects it has not only on oneself but also everyone. The only thing left is the mystery of wherever or not humans will be able to remove the crust of selfishness from their eyes.