Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Oedipus Rex

Love in Oedipus Rex is different than love in the Odyssey or Atonement. The love displayed in this epic poem is the love between parents and child. In Oedipus Rex, Oedipus learns of a prophecy that he would murder his father and marry his mother. In fear of this disturbing fate finding him he runs away from home not knowing that his real parents heard the prophecy years before and left him to die. A Shepard took pity on Oedipus and gave him to King Polybus of Corinth to raise as his own. For the love of his parents Oedipus attempts to escape his inevitable fate and leave Corinth. By leaving trying to run form fate Oedipus actually sets the troubling prophecy into action. Oedipus fails to defy fate, in the end he murders his father and marries his mother.In this passage, Oedipus discovers the truth that he could not escape his fate but the prophecy was fulfilled, "'Too long been blind to those for whom I was searching! From this hour, go in darkness!' And as he spoke He struck at his eyes- not once,e but many times; and the blood spattered his beard, bursting from his ruined sockets like red hail." Not being able to handle what he had made of his life Oedipus blinds himself because he was blind all the signs that the prophecy had proven true.
Out of love for his parents Oedipus attempted to defy fate. Losing the battle with his destiny Oedipus leads to the down fall of his family.

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