Oedipus rex critical analysis literature review sample

The most outstanding element or characteristic of this piece is the ironical nature in which Oedipus Rex is presented. The dramatic irony in which a character attempts to escape their fate is very striking in this piece. Oedipus is hunting for a murderer not knowing that the person whom he is hunting is his own self. Oedipus has already murdered his father and married his own mother Jocasta with whom they have bore two children. This action is a plague upon himself as is propagated by Tiresias (Michael 1299). Although being clever enough as to solve the Sphinx’s riddle thus ascending to the throne of Thebes, Oedipus can also be considered as naïve as he rejects the truth about his fate that is presented right before him.
Conflict is propagated in an ingenious manner in this narrative. The conflict is within the main character Oedipus. In trying to seek the good of his people he does not realize that he is in fact the plague of his own people. He kills Laius claiming that every wrong deed should not go unpunished. He is in effect trying to solve a riddle that is within himself and which haunt him later on. In his attempt to go against fate, Oedipus fails miserably. Every move he makes only leads him to his destined fate hence the conflict within himself.
The theme of marriage and family relationships has been used extensively to bring out the conflict inherent in the narrative. It is Oedipus relationship with his own mother that plagues Thebes to its fate. He also has constant quarrels with his uncle Creon who is to assume leadership after Oedipus is exiled despite Creon loyalty to him (Michael 1309).
The piece in general is trying to propagate that no human being has the capability of being entirely clever or entirely good. There is always a balance of qualities even in those considered as heroe in the society.

Work cited

Sophocles. ” Oedipus the King.” Meyer, Michael. The bedford introduction to Literature.
Seventh. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2005. Print.