Looking back on the days when COVID-19 was a global pandemic, I can compare and contrast the responses of Americans to the crisis with the actions of the people of Thebes in “Oedipus the King” (Sophocles). In the opening scene of the play, the people of Thebes are shown to be fearful and uncertain, gathering around Oedipus to seek his help in ending the plague and alleviating their suffering. They describe the dire situation in the following lines: “A blight is on the fruitful plants of the earth, A blight is on the cattle in the fields, a blight is on our women that no children” (Oedipus 26-28). This quote illustrates the extent of the suffering and desperation in Thebes. Similarly, in the early days of COVID-19, there was widespread fear and uncertainty among the American population. People were anxious about the health risks, economic consequences, and the lack of a clear timeline for the end of the pandemic. Scientists, healthcare workers, and researchers played important roles in seeking answers to the crisis. The news reported on studies, vaccine development, and guidance on how to prevent the spread of the virus. In “Oedipus the King,” Oedipus is determined to find answers about King Laius’s murder, believing that solving the murder would end the plague. He declares, “An oracle declaring that our freedom from this disease would only come when we should learn the names of those who killed King Laius and kill them or expel them from our country” (Oedipus 335-338). In both scenarios, efforts were made to end the plague. However, there were notable differences in approach. In “Oedipus the King,” Oedipus takes on the role of a strong leader by investigating the plague and making promises to save his people. In contrast, during COVID-19, while some leaders provided clear guidance and support for public health measures, others gave conflicting messages and downplayed the severity of the situation, leading to a sense of individualism and separation between countries. In summary, while similarities in fear and the quest for answers exist between the American population’s response to COVID-19 and the people of Thebes in “Oedipus the King,” differences in leadership sets the two apart.
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3 thoughts on “Kevin Lam’s Discussion 3”
Hello Kevin, I really enjoyed reading your thoughts on comparing and contrasting the story and COVID-19. I agree with your comparison to the beginning of the story and how Covid-19 had Americans in a panic as it did with the king’s people. Overall you really did a good job on describing the story and explaining the fear and frustration Americans were feeling during the pandemic. One thing you did that I didn’t do was add some quotes from the story. For which I would do next time to back up my statements.
Eric, your comments to Kevin are very supportive, but responses to others (and this is not just directed at you but to everyone in the group) cannot just repeat another student’s post and agree with it. You need to take the conversation forward.
Kevin, I thought it was interesting that when talking about Oedipus you only mentioned his role from the initial lines of the story that of “the strong leader,” and forget to mention his flaws as a leader. I found these flaws to be the most striking displays of his leadership: his hostility to the prophet after being told he was the one who killed King Laius and promptly threatening to kill him, and ultimately his inability to cope with his own failures as he gouges out his eyes when confronted with reality. Adversity is the ultimate test of good leadership and it clearly found Oedipus wanting when it came time for the toll to be collected.