does not result from an unconscious desire to share his bed. Such a Oedipus’ destiny mother’s leap of reasoning, if so it can be called, is unfounded. Tragic Flaw His Persistence in Seeking the Truth: Oedipus’ – (216-224/1083-1194) My Comment: Oedipus learns from a messenger from Corinth that he is not the son of Polybus. The messenger tells him that a shepherd gave Oedipus when he was a baby and that his ankles were pinned together. When the messenger tells Oedipus that the shepherd who saved him was a servant of Laius, Jocasta realizes the horrible truth, that Oedipus, her husband, is also her son. When Jocasta tries to prevent Oedipus from pursuing his investigation, Oedipus persists. Oedipus suspects that Jocasta is concealing the origin of his birth because he is not of royal lineage. He is unaware that the truth he is about to face is far worse than this. We see that, in spite of warning, Oedipus persists in his quest for the truth. must know it all, Jocasta’s “I must see the truth at last” It is this persistence, this insatiable need to (222/1269-1270). that brings about his downfall. This is his know the truth tragic flaw. What-give up now, with a clue like this? “Oedipus: Fail to solve the mystery of my birth? Not for all the world! Jocasta: Stop-in the name of god, if you love your own life, call off this search! Oedipus: Courage! Even if my mother turns out to be a slave, and I a slave, three generations back, would not seem common. you Jocasta: Oh no, listen to me, I beg you, do this. don’t Oedipus: Listen to you: No more. I must know it all, must see the truth at last. Jocasta: No, please- for your sake-I want the best for you! Oedipus: Your best is more than I can bear. Jocasta: You’re doomed- may you never fathom who you are! Oedipus: To a servant.
Oedipus’ destiny does not result from an unconscious desire to share his mother’s bed. Such a leap of reasoning, if so it can be called, is unfounded. Oedipus’ Tragic Flaw – His Persistence in Seeking the Truth: (216-224/1083-1194) My Comment: Oedipus learns from a messenger from Corinth that he is not the son of Polybus. The messenger tells him that a shepherd gave Oedipus when he was a baby and that his ankles were pinned together. When the messenger tells Oedipus that the shepherd who saved him was a servant of Laius, Jocasta realizes the horrible truth, that Oedipus, her husband, is also her son. When Jocasta tries to prevent Oedipus from pursuing his investigation, Oedipus persists. Oedipus suspects that Jocasta is concealing the origin of his birth because he is not of royal lineage. He is unaware that the truth he is about to face is far worse than this. We see that, in spite of Jocasta’s warning, Oedipus persists in his quest for the truth. “I must know it all, must see the truth at last” (222/1269-1270). It is this persistence, this insatiable need to know the truth that brings about his downfall. This is his tragic flaw. “Oedipus: What-give up now, with a clue like this? Fail to solve the mystery of my birth? Not for all the world! Jocasta: Stop-in the name of god, if you love your own life, call off this search! Oedipus: Courage! Even if my mother turns out to be a slave, and I a slave, three generations back, you would not seem common. Jocasta: Oh no, listen to me, I beg you, don’t do this. Oedipus: Listen to you: No more. I must know it all, must see the truth at last. Jocasta: No, please- for your sake-I want the best for you! Oedipus: Your best is more than I can bear. Jocasta: You’re doomed- may you never fathom who you are! Oedipus: To a servant.