Timeless human experiences or behaviors I found in my reading of Oedipus the King is that Oedipus makes choices based on his personal thoughts and feelings, which he utilizes to generate new and unusual behaviors because of several influences, such as seeing his parents run their kingdom and feeling good about himself. Oedipus developed his personality through harming others, and as a result, he evolved into who he is now. Oedipus’ parents, for instance, were King and Queen. He has spent his whole childhood surrounded by the royal family, so by watching his father, he learns what a king is supposed to be like. He could be portraying the powerful behavior of his own father. The main motivation beneath Oedipus’ actions is pride, he acts in ways that make him feel emotionally rewarded. With the position of power that comes with becoming king, he turns rude and harsh. Our decisions are influenced by our emotions, which play an important part in decision-making.
Daily Archives: October 14, 2023
There are a number of universal human emotions and actions portrayed in Sophocles’ “Oedipus the King” that cut across all historical periods. Oedipus’ constant search for the truth and information, which is represented by his will to discover his true identity and the cause of the plague in Thebes, is a reflection of humanity’s ongoing yearning for knowledge and resolution. As Oedipus struggles with his tragic destiny predicted by prophets, the idea of fate vs free will is essential, touching on the age-old human conflict between predetermined fate and personal action. Oedipus’s pride, or arrogance, which led to his demise, acts as the spark for a timeless lesson about the consequences of uncontrolled arrogance, a trait of human nature that goes beyond historical boundaries.
