Oedipus Quote Discussion 4 10-20-09

"Had I only died then. I should not now be leaving. All I love and mine so sadly shattered" (Sophocles,73). In saying this, Oedipus shows how distressed he is because of the situation that has just become clear to him. He states that he would rather have died as a baby, because if that were the case, he would not have been doomed by the oracle and he would not have caused pain on so many people that he came to love. This is the first time in the text that Oedipus is really open about taking the blame for something and realizing that he was the reason his mother/wife committed suicide, his father died, and for all the confusion the entire city of Thebes has faced.

Oedipus Quote Discussion 3 10-19-09

"Light of my days, go dark. I want to gaze no more" (Sophocles,67). Stated by Oedipus, this quote clearly shows how he is reacting to what he has just learned. Finally, it seems as though everything is being pieced together, but in the worst way possible. He has learned from the messenger and the shepherd that he is in fact doomed by the prophecy, and he is actually living it out. Upon discovering that Jocasta, his own wife, is also his mother that left him for dead, it is clear that all the other parts of the prophecy were also true. By saying "light of my days, go dark" Oedipus is making it obvious that he does not want to face his past and he would have rather lived not knowing any of this information.

Oedipus Quote Discussion 3 10-15-09

"If he thinks in all this turmoil of our times that any word or act of mine was ever done in malice, done to harm, I'd rather end my life than live so wronged" (Sophocles, 28). This is a clear representation, made by Creon, of how the people of Thebes look to Oedipus with great respect. They realize all that he has done to help them and truly care about how he sees them and what he thinks of them. When Oedipus begins suspecting Creon of the murder of Laius, or of trying to pin that murder on him, he defends himself and is willing to do pretty much anything to prove his innocence. Creon does not want Oedipus to think that he would betray him but at this point Oedipus is beginning to blame everyone of things without appropriate evidence. Later in this reading, he finally begins to realize that he may be guilty, which will lead to him making less assumptions based on the faults of others.

Oedipus Quote Discussion 2 10-13-09

"Hardly Creon. You are your own worst enemy" (Sophocles 22). Stated by Tiresias, in response to Oedipus asking if it was him or Creon who thought up that Apollo said he was going to fall from power. This line, though short, is crucial to what Oedipus has in store for himself. It is already clear that Oedipus finds no problem in questioning others, but doesn't think twice about his own actions. By saying he is "his own worst enemy" Tiresias is somewhat foreshadowing internal conflicts that Oedipus will face later on. He is his own worst enemy in that he is the murderer that he has set out to find, and with that realization will come many more struggles that he will have to face.

10-9-09-Oedipus Quote Discussion

The quote I chose can be found on page 9. '"Here," says the god. "Seek and you shall find. Only that escapes which never was pursued."' I think this quote by Creon is significant to the story so far partly because of the irony involved in it, considering he is speaking right to the murderer, and because I think it exposes the reader to important subjects that will be seen later in the story. Creon is giving Oedipus a sense of hope, that whenever you look for someone or something, your journey will be fulfilled and it will be worth it in the end. In this case, if they go out and search for the one who killed their king, they will find him, and bring him to justice. I think that sense of hope that Creon gave Oedipus will stay with him throughout the story, and make him a determined and committed man.