Oedipus the King Blog

In Oedipus the King, Sophocles tries to make a point of the lack of actual human free will due to the power of the Gods and the prophets. In general, Sophocles shows prophecies as turning out true due to there being a large amount of debate over the truthfullness of prohpets back in his time. Sophocles clearly believed in prophecies and "blinds" Oedipus by the end of this act of the play to prove that anybody who does not believe in prophecies is foolish. At one point in this act, Oedipus and Jocasta even have a debate about how true prophecies really are. They come to a conclusion that most prophecies are not true, and that Oedipus's supposed prophecy would not become true. They believed in chance over fate, which was the opposite of Sophocles's beliefs. Throughout the act, Sophocles leads Oedipus with clues that his fate was already pre-decided and would occur as planned. Oedipus refuses to take these clues in order to go againts the beliefs of Sophocles, and to be eventually blinded. Even Jocasta tries to avoid her own fate by getting rid of baby Oedipus. This does not work, as Oedipus goes on to kill his father Laius. He also marries his mother Jocasta, totally completing the prophecy.

Proudest Moment

It had to be the proudest moment of your career. Being carried high on the shoulders of your fellow townsmen. The race was won. People were cheering your name. You were on top of the world, nothing else could be better. If you were to die that day, you would have been remembered forever. You were at your prime, people would have to remember you.

Who would have thought that soon after this great moment, you would once again be carried shoulder high by your home town? This time, in a casket though. Once again, people were just staring at you in awe while you were still on the top of your game. You were at the high point of your stint, your life. This time, you saw these people carrying you from a different angle. Up in heaven you were, looking down at your name and your life being celebrated, ready to be carried on for years. Unlike most people your glory would not fade, it would be remembered for years. Roses wither quickly, but your reputation lasts longer than the silence of your town’s mourning. You always were a smart man; something about you made a lasting impression on people. This impression is part of the reason you would be remembered for years to come. Most people fade into the past, and may not even be a brief memory. You will always be remembered as one of the best, because you went out as the best.

Once a person enters a coffin, and moves into his next life, he is forgotten in most instances. This coffin is a passageway where people bring everything with them. You left behind your glory, your youth, and many memories for the people of our town. As I visit your grave today, I still see a beautifully well-kept gravesite covered in flowers, love, and memories. When anybody from the town visits you now, this is what they see. Your glory will live on, and you will always be on top of your game in everybody’s memory.

Truly yours,