"Oedipus Rex" was a very interesting story. It truly highlights the topic of tragedy. At the end when Oedipus is essentially freaking out and calling himself an evil killer, the tragedy element of the story is truly emphasized. Oedipus really isn't a bad person and never was, and all of the sins he committed, he was totally unaware of. It was the prophecy that doomed him to commit the sins he committed, and it really isn't fair for him to blame himself. He gauges his eyes out because he is so disgusted with his actions, but in reality, he had no control or knowledge of what was really happening which makes the story extremely tragic.
I found it intriguing how the prophet, Tiresias, basically told Oedipus that he was Laius' murderer. When he was dismissed by Oedipus, he still claimed what he had claimed before, but he talked about how Oedipus was a man who came seeing but will leave in blindness. This is interesting to me in a couple different ways. First of all, it's ironic because the prophet is completely accurate in his accusations against Oedipus, it just seems as if he isn't because Oedipus does not know he is Laius' murder. Oedipus does end up gauging out his eyes to avoid seeing the damage he has done thus leaving in blindness. It is also interesting because usually the blind in stories can figuratively "see" clearer than those who actually have the physical ability to see. Oedipus gauges out his eyes upon discovering the truth; Oedipus now figuratively "sees" all that he has done, but is blind. Before, he could physically see, but did not "see" the truth.
I found it intriguing how the prophet, Tiresias, basically told Oedipus that he was Laius' murderer. When he was dismissed by Oedipus, he still claimed what he had claimed before, but he talked about how Oedipus was a man who came seeing but will leave in blindness. This is interesting to me in a couple different ways. First of all, it's ironic because the prophet is completely accurate in his accusations against Oedipus, it just seems as if he isn't because Oedipus does not know he is Laius' murder. Oedipus does end up gauging out his eyes to avoid seeing the damage he has done thus leaving in blindness. It is also interesting because usually the blind in stories can figuratively "see" clearer than those who actually have the physical ability to see. Oedipus gauges out his eyes upon discovering the truth; Oedipus now figuratively "sees" all that he has done, but is blind. Before, he could physically see, but did not "see" the truth.