In what ways is Oedipus seeking knowledge?
While this is certainly one way to react—to tamp down our thirst for knowledge entirely—to live a blissful life of ignorance—Oedipus himself also provides a model for how to seek out knowledge: once he finds the truth, he faces it and bears its consequences with a sense of dignity and personal responsibility.
How did Oedipus find out the truth about himself?
In fact, the messenger himself gave Oedipus to the royal couple when a shepherd offered him an abandoned baby from the house of Laius. Oedipus becomes determined to track down the shepherd and learn the truth of his birth. Suddenly terrified, Jocasta begs him to stop, and then runs off to the palace, wild with grief.
What does Oedipus the King tell us about knowledge?
His pursuit of knowledge and truth, however, results in ruin as Oedipus uncovers his destiny, which he was better off not knowing. This suggests that knowledge is futile and limited in its ability to bring happiness to those who seek it.
What is ironic about Oedipus blinding himself?
Oedipus blinding himself symbolizes his increase of knowledge which finally gives him the ability to “see”. Sophocles makes him blind at the end of the play because of showing his audience that eyesight is not must to see but it knowledge that is required for the sight.
How does Oedipus gain self knowledge?
Oedipus, from the play Oedipus the King by Sophocles, perhaps had the cruelest fate of the three characters through his quest to know himself. His method of finding out about himself was through asking people the truth behind the stories which revolved around him.
Does Oedipus achieve self knowledge?
While Oedipus a man that is revered for his knowledge, he becomes a man that must learn about knowledge in a painful way. Oedipus learns many things other than his heritage; he learns that self-knowledge comes with a price. In discovering things about himself, he also learns about the world around him and those in it.
What does Oedipus do when he finds out the truth?
Later, when the truth became known, Jocasta committed suicide, and Oedipus (according to another version), after blinding himself, went into exile, accompanied by Antigone and Ismene, leaving his brother-in-law Creon as regent.
What page does Oedipus find out the truth?
When Teiresias tells Oedipus that he is the killer that he seeks, Oedipus tells him in line 503 “You have no truth, you’re blind. Blind in your eyes.
What is ironic about Oedipus gouging out his eyes?
Jocasta commits suicide and Oedipus gouges his own eyes out so he can not see the damage and distraught he has brought on to his people. This was a symbolic move for Oedipus as well, by taking his own eyes out of his head, he demonstrates how blind he was the entire time.
What wisdom does Oedipus gain?
Oedipus learned the lessons of humility and love. With his pride, he only thought of himself, and because of his selfishness he could not grasp until the very end, it was himself he was seeking. Thus only when we are humbled though suffering do we truly gain wisdom and understanding.
What are the benefits of Oedipus’s quest for self knowledge?
Oedipus learns many things other than his heritage; he learns that self-knowledge comes with a price. In discovering things about himself, he also learns about the world around him and those in it. He learns that he does not know everything – especially when it comes to other people.