Why Does Oedipus Continue The Search For The Killer?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Oedipus' pride is emphasized when he searches for Laius'

killer to stop the plague

; he wants to find the killer and protect himself. … Oedipus uses his free will to take this action but doing so leads up to his prophecy coming true. Oedipus's destiny is predetermined at birth by the gods.

What is Oedipus investigating?

The play is an investigation

of killing

. In the myth, the killer is Oedipus, “unequivocally” (72). … Oedipus, seeking the murderer of Laius, is worried by Jocasta's account of Laius's death because it reminds him of a fight he himself has had at that place.

Why does Oedipus continue his investigation?

Why do you think Oedipus continues his investigation despite Jocasta's strong objections?

Oedipus is so caught up in the search for his true identity that he must persist

. … Oedipus establishes that the shepherd (herdsman) gave a child to the Corinthian Messenger so that the infant could be reared in safety in Corinth.

How does Oedipus misconstrue her pleas to stop the investigations?

How does Oedipus misconstrue her pleas to stop his investigations?

Jocasta realized the truth: the prophecy has been fulfilled; Oedipus is her son

. Oedipus believes Jocasta's pleas to leave the matter rest are sparked by snobbery and family pride. … He will learn the truth of his own inner nature.

Why does Oedipus pursue the truth?

In Oedipus the King, Oedipus is a

seeker of knowledge and truth

. He struggles to uncover Laius's and his own identity, despite numerous warnings that he should leave the truth alone. … This suggests that knowledge is futile and limited in its ability to bring happiness to those who seek it.

Is Oedipus destined to fate?

Oedipus is the son of king Laius and queen Jocasta. They hear from an astrologer that, Oedipus will kill his father and marry his mother. … Actually,

the destiny of Oedipus saves him from certain death

.

Is Oedipus a good person is Oedipus a good leader?

In the beginning,

Oedipus is a good leader who is trying to help his people during a horrible plague

. We also see Oedipus' interaction with people who he treats the best such as Jocasta, his wife/mother. Even after Jocasta tells him repeatedly to stop his search, he does not even consider it.

Who found Oedipus as a baby?

Brief Summary


A shepherd

finds the baby, though, and takes him to King Polybus and Queen Merope of Corinth, who name him Oedipus and raise him as their own. One day, Oedipus goes to the Oracle of Delphi to find out who his real parents are.

What is the truth of Oedipus birth?

While his actual birth might not be so remarkable, the circumstances surrounding it are. The oracle tells Oedipus' father Laius, the King of Thebes, that

his son will kill him

. When Oedipus is born, Laius ties his hands and feet and leaves him on a mountainside to die.

Why were Oedipus feet pierced?

In Oedipus Rex, Oedipus's feet were pierced on

the orders of his birth father, Laius

. Laius had just received a disturbing prophecy that his son would one day grow up to kill him. To make sure that the prophecy wouldn't come true, Laius ordered that the infant Oedipus be left on a mountainside with his feet pierced.

Why does Jocasta discourage Oedipus from trying to find out who his real parents are?

It is clear that Jocasta feels anxious about

the possibility of their marriage being incestuous

, and she does not want Oedipus to confirm her fears. It is due to this fear that Jocasta does everything in her power to dissuade Oedipus from continuing his search.

Why does Jocasta try to hide the truth from Oedipus?

During her final scene, she doesn't want Oedipus to know the truth because

she loves him and doesn't want him to suffer

. Once she learns the truth she knows that she will kill herself, but she doesn't want Oedipus to learn for she knows of the great anguish it would cause him.

What finally becomes of Oedipus?

What finally becomes of Oedipus?

He lives in self-exile on Mt. Cithaeron where he should've died for an infant.

What was Oedipus greatest mistake?

The biggest mistake made by Oedipus, Laius, and Jocasta.

He will marry his mother and kill his father

. Why wasn't Oedipus killed at birth? The shepherd took pity on the doomed baby and gave him away to another shepherd.

What did Oedipus know about himself?

From early in his life,

Oedipus didn't know who he was

. … In time, Oedipus came to question his birth and went to the Oracle at Delphi to discover his ancestry. The Oracle failed to tell Oedipus who his true parents were but warned Oedipus that he would one day kill his father and marry his mother.

What does Oedipus do when he finally knows the truth?

In an even older version by Homer, though, Oedipus doesn't stop ruling Thebes after he finds out the truth. When the truth comes out,

Jocasta kill herself and Oedipus is tortured by the Furies for a while, but stays in charge of the city

. Eventually, though, he dies in battle and is given an honorable burial in Thebes.

Maria LaPaige
Author
Maria LaPaige
Maria is a parenting expert and mother of three. She has written several books on parenting and child development, and has been featured in various parenting magazines. Maria's practical approach to family life has helped many parents navigate the ups and downs of raising children.