Oedipus

I want to cover a few themes that I don’t think are truly covered in most classes when it comes to Oedipus.  The first thing is that you can never escape your past.  I mean this for Jocasta and for Oedipus.  What must  have  Jocasta’s life been like on a daily basis?  Start with the fear of being found out with information that she was the mother/wife of her husband/son Oedipus.  The fact that she left her baby  to die in an extreme manor and finally worrying that her kids were going to have a hand growing out of  their heads when they were born.  OK, she knew that her son was prophesized to kill her and his father.  Yet, she marries him and has his kids?  Confusing plot point and just a side note. 

Well, we eventually see the outcome of such a dark secret.  Her death is way easier than Oedipus’ punishment upon himself.  Speaking of Oedipus, he cannot out run his past either.  Without his own knowledge, he completed the prophecy that was bestowed upon him by the Oracle.  Can’t out run your past, buddy.

Oedipus’ quest seems very daunting at the outset of the story, with himself being the key way to get rid of the plague.  I like that he is open enough that he wanted everyone to hear what Creon’s thoughts were on how to solve the problem and the reality of what was really happening.  It showed me that he thought that he led a virtuous life that he didn’t have to hide.  Theme two, even though you live virtuously, there may still be skeleton’s in your closet.

Finally, protect your eyes!!!!  Oedipus blinds himself and then asks to be taken from his land and left on his own?  Think it through buddy.  Now the herdsman is thinking…jeez, I should have just left him posted to the ground. I would have saved a lot of confusion and heartbreak.