is Critical Readings. HAHA.).
So, for this assignment, we were to read King Oedipus and with a set of questions, choose one and write your point across.
The question I chose was "How is Oedipus relevant in today's contemporary world/context?".
So..enjoy!
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King Oedipus is
one of the greatest tragedies written by Sophocles in 430 BC. Meaningful as it
is, many fail to see its relevance in today’s modern context. Even though it
was written over 2000 years ago with a storyline based on then Greek society
and attitudes, we can still draw resemblances from the story which are
applicable to us in our everyday thinking and reasoning. Sophocles usage of
themes like determinism and agency, coupled with techniques like symbolism,
echoes the relevancy that we can relate to. Humans are creatures of habit and
there are some traits that can never be changed no matter which age of humanity
they are in. In the words of David Hume, “Mankind are so much the same, in all
times and places, that history informs us of nothing new or strange in this
particular. Its chief use is only to discover the constant and universal principles
of human nature" (Hume, 1748).
Sophocles uses
Oedipus as the protagonist and we see many stages of his life and the growth of
his character in this story. One of the many traits that Sophocles portrays
strongly is Oedipus’s arrogance and excessive pride, i.e. hubris, as the Greeks
termed it. Sophocles uses the Greek belief that a hero would fall from his own
hubris (Ohio University, n.d.), making him the antagonist of the story as well.
It’s through this ideology that Sophocles chooses to relate with the audience.
Hubris and
arrogance were the catalysts of Oedipus’s own downfall portrayed many times in
the story. Oedipus’s refusal to agree to his destiny, from the prophecies given
by the oracle is a good example. He leaves Corinth intending to alter the fate
of his and the people he thought were his parents (“It is. Loxias…I have fared
well” Pg53). This defiance against the “will of the Gods” is proof of the great
hubris Oedipus harboured thinking he is better than the Gods (“You have
prayed…now, to me” Pg31) and can change his fate. In the same way as Oedipus’s
parents who sought to have their son killed to change their fate. Here, they
challenged their “fate” with their own free will which Sophocles uses to
portray the theme of determinism and agency.
Similarly, in
this present day, there is disbelief of the idea of one’s fate belonging to an
unknown entity. As children, we were always told that our destiny is always in
our own hands and we are the makers of our own fate. It is human nature to try
to change what we think we have in our power and capability to change and that
we are in charge of our future.
Another
technique that Sophocles uses is irony, linking to the theme of sight and
blindness. One being the irony that one with sight is actually blinded to the
truth and one who is blind can see all. Vision, which can be a theme or symbol,
is used to portray insight and knowledge, a quality that Oedipus was proud for.
However, Teiresias claims he knows better and what is best for the both of them
during their exchange of words, insulting Oedipus in the process. With his
hubris affected, Oedipus was angered to the point where he was blinded from
self knowledge when the truth comes forth that he is the murderer. Oedipus’s
disregard of the truth shows the rhetorical irony when the he claims to see and
know all but is indeed blinded to the real truth due to his own character. In
the end, this led to him blinding his eyes, as what their use when he could see
but was still blind. (“What should I…Away!” Pg63)
Today, many
would regard themselves attuned with their self knowledge. However, how many
are actually aware of the blindness to their own unknown as a weakness? Though
the usage of blindness and sight are used in a metaphorical way in relation to
Greek ideology, it is relatable in today’s context of thinking and reasoning.
Metaphors like “blinded by lust” or “blinded by the truth” resonates in today’s
generation, which is similar to that of the context with Oedipus.
In my opinion,
Sophocles uses riddles to symbolize irony as well in the story. In the
beginning, Oedipus was famed for solving the riddle of the Sphinx and defeating
her. The city of Thebes, and Jocasta were his prize and the citizens praised
his knowledge and wisdom. However, at the end of the story, Tiresias ends the
argument between Oedipus and himself with another riddle. The price for solving
this riddle however proved to be Oedipus ultimate downfall. Irony in the fact
that it was a riddle that made him who he was with his knowledge and insight
but it was also a riddle that destroyed him due to the blindness incapability
to see the truth.
George Lucas, is
one good example to relate to this concept. Star Wars propelled him into an
illustrious career making him one of the most successful figures in Hollywood.
However, with great power comes great responsibility. He was so blinded of
pride for Star Wars however, that it ultimately was the thing that ruined his
credibility and integrity as a director. He took complete control of the entire
process, ignoring what the fans wanted and expected, added his own idea, and
changed Star Wars to the way he seemed fit, resulting in a backlash from the
fans and Hollywood. The hubris from his own success was his own downfall when
arrogance and denial took over, which sadly, led to him selling Star Wars, his
pride and joy and affecting his career. (Robertson, 2016)
Lastly,
Sophocles uses the 3 path crossroad to symbolize the theme of determinism and
agency as well. It symbolizes a position where one has a choice of a different
path, each with different consequences. When confronted with King Laius,
Oedipus was given choices, to either confront or walk away. His hubris made the
decision for him, sealing his fate, which proves, that sometimes fate is
inevitable. Oedipus left Corinth to obsolete his prophecy but inadvertently
fulfils it in the process at the crossroads, even though there were other paths
he could have taken, both literally and figuratively.
The choices made
in life, is what shapes our future. In today’s context, sometimes we are faced
with choices that could make or break us, and it’s with our self knowledge that
we are allowed to freely choose our path, accepting the outcome. However, what
Sophocles is trying to tell us with the crossroad symbolism is that, sometimes,
there are situations that are not in control, and to teach us how omnipotent
our fates are, and to make us complete what we desperately yearn to rid
ourselves from.
In conclusion,
as ancient as it may be, King Oedipus, though based on olden Greek society, is
as relatable then as it is now. Though times may have changed, and humans have
advanced in most aspects, one thing remains constant, our character. Human
character may have modernized, but the primal characters still dwell deep in
us. The prevalence of hubris is very noticeable today. We see it very
prominently for example with Donald Trump, whose ignorance and arrogance, is
what propels him. (Jamaica Observer, 2016). The themes shown above are the same
ones that society of today still struggle with. Does the path one chooses
change one’s future, or is it just a confirmation of one’s fate? Do humans
forge their own destiny or is everything already predestined for them? These
are the conflicts modern society still grapples with today. The world may
change, societies may change, but no matter how much they change, human
character and instinct, will always stay constant, be it then or now.
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