The Oedipus Trilogy

Question:

Answers:

1. 
   brendawm Teacher
   High School - 9th Grade

   In Oedipus’s story, his flaws are used to make him suffer, suffering is caused by Fate and Fate is determined by the gods. His main tragic flaws are persistence and ignorance that caused his unavoidable fate. Both persistence and ignorance can be supported with examples from Oedipus’s encounter with Teiresias.

   Sources:

   http://www.enotes.com/oedipus/

   Rate answer:

    

   • Flag as inappropriate

   Posted by brendawm on Sunday June 3, 2007 at 1:03 PM
   
   

2. 
   jamie-wheeler Teacher
   College - Sophomore

   Though I agree with the previous answer in part, my take is somewhat different.

   I believe Oedipus' main flaw is hubris. Hubris is excessive pride that goes before a fall. It is a family trait, it seems, as Oedipus' father believed he could trick the gods and avoid his fate. Oedipus himself is blinded by his hubris, first metaphorically and then literallly. He refuses to heed warnings and proceeds as he, not the gods, sees fit. He tries to pay for his hubris by blinding himself, but I would argue that this action itself is a hubristic act. Once again, Oedipus tries to determine his own fate rather than leaving his punishment to the gods.

   Sources:

   http://www.enotes.com/oedipus/

   Rate answer:

    

   • Flag as inappropriate

   Posted by jamie-wheeler on Sunday June 3, 2007 at 2:46 PM