In the play "Oedipus the King" Sophocles depicts Oedipus' inevitable downfall, which represents man's struggle between free will and fate. ... The notion that Oedipus was truly ignorant bears significantly on the moral meaning of the play. ... The nature of Oedipus' knowledge is the vaguest element in the play. ... The moral interpretation of the play is dependent upon Oedipus' epistemic state, which is never revealed. ... Creating a morally unambiguous judgement of Oedipus' character takes away form the richness and complexity of the play. ...

• Word Count: 631
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The idea of a King needing advice from anyone spoils the King's own identity and 'royalty'. Oedipus, like most people in charge, doesn't need anyone telling him about things he doesn't understand; the King relies only upon himself. ... Oedipus' arrogance challenges the authority of "things hidden and has no use of the ˜truth' from any source other than his own; Oedipus believes he can summon 'truth' because he is the king. ... As all who were in the audience of this play were intimately aware of the Sparta's siege of Athens, the plague ...

• Word Count: 653
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate