Sophocles' epic poem Oedipus the King is a classic elegy that explores how irony can affect life and how "fate works closer" than one might expect it. It is for this reason that many argue about how to react to the character of “King Oedipus, ruler of” Thebes (13). Although sometimes arrogant and overly assertive, we need to take a closer look at the life of Oedipus. He is a man whose leadership required such qualities to overcome the Sphinx and other challenges on his path to becoming king. From there, we must become sympathetic and understand how a man so determined and admirable to do good for his people can have the same qualities as an arrogant person. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why violent video games should not be banned"? Get the original essayA man fleeing a prophecy about his destiny, the story opens with Oedipus, king of Thebes, with a population dying of the plague. Wanting to help his people, Oedipus opens his heart to his audience, saying, “Here am I myself –/you all know me, the world knows my fame:/I am Oedipus” (lines 7-9). By stating this, he is stating that he is on the city's problem, thinking about what to do. Asked by the old priest what Oedipus plans to do, Oedipus quickly responds that “after a painful search, [he] found a remedy:/[he] acted immediately. [He] sent Creon,/[his] wife's brother, to Delphi-/Apollo the Prophet's oracle--to learn/what he must do or say to save [the] city" (lines 80-84 ).Such determination showed how much Oedipus cared about his people and what was bothering them. He later said that the plague was "tormenting" him and that the city "must now fight" for them (lines 86+153). This determination to solve his people's problems and help them is evident throughout the poem even after Jocasta, his wife, urges him to let this pass as always and forget the curses he has. 'was inflicted, he couldn't. He challenges his wife when he says: "Why give up now??/Failing to solve the mystery of my birth? (lines 1160-1162). that unwavering, he has good reason. By solving his birth, he could possibly solve the riddle of Apollo and thus discover who the real killer is. In doing so, he would save his people and his kingdom. However, as Oedipus continued his admirable quest, he became impious towards the gods, believing he could foil their prophecy. As he probed deeper into his past, he realized that he was the real killer, which he could not believe. It was after seeing his wife (who was his mother) commit suicide that Oedipus understood how everything was connected. Weeping, Oedipus cried out in displeasure: “You,/you will no longer see the pain I endured, all the pain I caused!/Too long you have looked at those you should never have seen, blind those you longed to see, namely! Blind/from this hour on!" (lines 1405-1409). Thereupon, the now humble Oedipus tore out his eyes and became blind. Even the mocking choirmaster took pity on him and said: "Oh , poor man, misery-/is there a little rest now?" (lines 1422-1423). The anguish of the pitiful Oedipus continues until the end of the poem as Creon, the one whom Oedipus accuses of betrayal, wreaks even more havoc in the dark life of Oedipus, now in power, plays with the once proud Oedipus and his last wishes Oedipus, stooping, pleading with Creon, says: “I command you, I. begs you? (line 1583). Creon, wishing to exploit his power, teases Oedipus by letting him see his children again, making him believe that they will accompany him..