Sophocles ‘ “ Oedipus the King ” is a tragic drama exemplifying a displacement from the belief of predestination to freedom of pick. Therefore, “ Oedipus the King ” becomes a symbolic representation of human advancement. In the drama, Sophocles concentrates on Oedipus ‘ , the chief character, find of the true liquidator of King Laius and the effects that follow. As a consequence, Sophocles proficiently adapts human qualities to Oedipus, alternatively of the god-like features of earlier dramas. He masterfully employs graphic images throughout the drama which expose Oedipus as a human being. By picturing him as homo, Sophocles reveals Oedipus ‘ inability of commanding the fate of his hereafter. For this ground, Sophocles portrays Oedipus as a huntsman, a ploughman, and a crewman. Further analysis of “ Oedipus the King ” will explicate how these three images symbolize human patterned advance.
Early on in the drama, Sophocles ‘ introduces the image of Oedipus as a huntsman. In fact, Oedipus transforms into a huntsman seeking for the truth after detecting the slaying of the old male monarch, Laius. The Chorus confirms the image of Oedipus as a huntsman by uncovering him as the one whom “ . . . . outraged all work forces! /Bending [ his ] bow to the breaking-point/ [ he ] captured invaluable glorification ” ( 1323-25 ) . Believing he is capable of commanding of all time state of affairs he encounters, Oedipus declares, “ If I ‘d been present then/there would hold been no enigma, no long hunt/without a hint in manus ” ( 249-51 ) . Obviously, Oedipus is equivocal to the individuality of the liquidator. However, during his conversation with Tiresias, Oedipus learns that “ . . . . [ he ] [ is ] the liquidator [ he ] Hunt [ s ] ” ( 413 ) . As a consequence, Sophocles successfully demonstrates human existences deficiency of power in commanding every state of affairs.
Sophocles nowadayss farther illustration of a homo ‘s deficiency of commanding all life fortunes by using images of farming to Oedipus. The metropolis of Thebes suffers greatly from a pestilence that is killing the “ . . . . fresh crops/and the rich grazing lands, cowss sicken and die/and the adult females die in labour. . . “ ( 31-33 ) . Without a uncertainty, the pestilence affects all aspects of life, from the merchandises the dirt produces to the really life that inhabits the land. For this ground, Creon explains to Oedipus that he must “ drive the corruptness from the land ” ( 109 ) so the land and people can happen curative. Therefore, Oedipus acquires the image of a ploughman, and his Hunt becomes two times. As a consequence of successfully runing down Lauis ‘ liquidator, he will consecutive mend the metropolis of the pestilence.
Sophocles provides extra accent of a homo ‘s inability of control by integrating the image of Oedipus as a crewman. Furthermore, he is the crewman who navigates the ship to safety. By comparing the metropolis to a “ ship that pitches wildly. . . “ ( 29 ) , Sophocles establishes Oedipus ‘ duty of maneuvering the metropolis off from “ . . . . the ruddy moving ridges of decease. . . ” ( 30 ) . In fact, Creon conveys his first-class navigational accomplishments when he speaks of the clip that “ [ Oedipus ] came and put us straight on class ” ( 118 ) . Therefore, it is apprehensible that the Chorus trust Oedipus and solicits his aid, inquiring him to “ maneuver us through the storm ” ( 767 ) . Unfortunately, an exchange with his married woman, Jocasta, leaves him incapable of helping them.
During the conversation, Jocasta informs Oedipus that Laius ‘ slaying occurs at “ . . . . a hamlets ” ( 810 ) , which causes him to go disconsolate. Finally, Oedipus has the acknowledgment that he is the liquidator of Laius. Consequently, he is no longer in control of the ship. As a effect, the people in the metropolis evolve into “ . . . . riders in the clasp of fear/watching the pilot of the vas go to pieces ” ( 1010-11 ) . Clearly, Oedipus is on a “ . . . . ocean trip place to the fatal seaport! ” ( 485 ) . He finally loses all self-denial and plunges into “ . . . . a black sea of panic. . . ” ( 1683 ) .
By exposing images of Oedipus as a huntsman, a ploughman, and a crewman, Sophocles successfully generates the construct that it is impossible for homo ‘s to command all fortunes of life. His focal point on Oedipus ‘ Hunt for the truth provides grounds that for every determination one makes there is a effect. Therefore, the effect of Oedipus ‘ Hunt is his ain devastation. During his Hunt, Oedipus concludes that his past picks create the pestilence that corrupts the dirt. In the terminal, he realizes that the foolhardy pilotage of his life creates his catastrophe. In short, Sophocles brings to illume that all worlds possess the ability to voyage his or her life ; nevertheless, the way one chooses to sail determines the result of his or her life.
