Oedipus the King

WHAT CREATES MAN’S WORLD VIEW?

Oedipus view of the world appears defined by the time the play begins. The mystery of his birth, and the constant questioning of the people of Corinth have led him to question the world, and to seek out the truth in it. He has come from a foreign land, trying to escape a terrible prophecy, and has found fortune; by solving the riddle of the Sphinx he becomes King of Thebes. Oedipus sees the world as under his control – he believes he has escaped the oracle’s prophecy and has made a way for himself in the world – and also believes that he can find truth in the world. It is exactly these two facets of his worldview that determine Oedipus’ fate.

Throughout the play, Oedipus continually searches for King Laios’ murderer, and unknowingly brings himself closer to his doom with every new discovery.  Oedipus appears led to his fate more by how he sees the world – with answers to questions that can be solved without the help of the gods – than a tragic flaw of character. In effect Oedipus’ view of the world and the mysterious circumstances of his birth that led him to it are his tragic flaw, and bring about his doom.

This picture shows both parts of Oedipus, the half that could have been as well as the half that existed. We see Oedipus as he saw himself before the play: A king, a husband, a father. But perhaps even more powerfully we see what Oedipus became: wretched, broken, and dismayed. This picture depicts the transition that exists during the play, and serves as a visual representation of Oedipus downfall -- it shows both sides of Oedipus instead of focusing solely on what would become.