A Comparison of Individual Responsibility in Oedipus Rex...

Individual Responsibility in Oedipus Rex and A Dolls House In Sophocles Oedipus Rex and Ibsens A Dolls House, the main characters - Nora and Oedipus, are both constructed to illustrate flaws in society. Oedipus psychological evolution sees him begin as an all-powerful, righteous king, who seemingly through no fault of his own murders his father and marries his mother. His evolution ends with his self-blinding, an action which Sophocles uses to establish the true freedom of the individual before divine authority. In A Dolls House, the development of Nora Helmer leads her from believing that she is happily married to realizing that she is a mere possession for her husbands entertainment. By her decision at the end of the†¦show more content†¦Instead of dismissing the concerns of his citizens, Oedipus shows that he is in touch with the needs of the common man. He professes that his spirit grieves for the city, for himself, and for all the people [ln. 76]. He further goes on to say that he has already taken measures to isolate a cu re by sending his brother-in-law Creon to the Oracle at Delphi to receive a prophetic vision. The response Creon returns with is that the source of the plague is within Thebes itself, in the form of the murderer of Laius, Thebes former king. In Ancient Greece, the Oracle was a means by which mankind was able to communicate with the gods. Oedipus decision to immediately send a messenger (in the form of Creon) to the Oracle is appropriate because since the King was considered to be first of men, he should therefore be the first to undertake the initiative to contact the gods. This concept of being the only source of hope is re-enforced throughout the play not only by Oedipus own statements such as I acted at once [ln. 81] but also by his anticipation of advice and suggestions.3 In the opening scene, the priest refers to Oedipus as a man of experience.4 Experience can only be gained by constant action. When the priest hints that Oedipus should send to Delphi for help, he has alre ady done so; When the chorus suggestsShow MoreRelatedEssay Prompts4057 Words   |  17 Pageswork as a whole. Avoid mere plot summary. You may select a work from the list below or another novel or play of comparable literary merit. Alias Grace Middlemarch All the King’s Men Moby-Dick Candide Obasan Death of a Salesman Oedipus Rex Doctor Faustus Orlando Don Quixote A portrait of the Artist as a Young Man A Gesture Life Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead Ghosts The Scarlet Letter Great Expectations