In the text, “Oedipus Rex”, shows the nature of innocence and guilt. The meaning
of innocence and guilt is for doing the right actions, but also commits a crime. The text shows
this theme, nature of innocence and guilt by using characterization, foil, and mood. This
proves how Oedipus will cause guilt without knowing the truth.
Characterization shown by Oedipus being a role model in the city of Thebes in northern Greece, in the beginning. He provides needs for his citizens and lift the plague that threatens to
destroy the city. Therefore, everyone of Thebes shows venerate to him. For example, the priest
considered Oedipus the greatest man, “Great Oedipus, O powerful King Of Thebes” (Sophocles …show more content…
1.16).
This proven how the citizens trusted Oedipus. Through out the story, without knowing his
father, he killed King Laius on the way to Thebes and married his mom, Jostca. Now, Oedipus is
considered ignorance and the arrogance that he can outsmart people.
Foil is shown by Oedipus and Creon; they're the opposite of each other. Oedipus is more
conceited leader, who'll stop at no action and can solve any problems. He's considered
stubborn and can overpower his will. Creon is more calm; he says, Look at you, sullen in
yielding, brutal in your rage—you will go too far. It's perfect justice:natures like yours are
hardest on themselves (746-748; Fagles) he listens to the rules and dare not to break the laws.
Even if he does, he'll remains calm, unlike Oedipus. In the text, it shows Oedipus arrogance as it
says,“Oedipus is anxious to hear the whole story of his humble birth from the messenger and
does not fear anything, even if it reveals that he is of lowly birth because "being born what I am
I could never be another;" (sophlces 111).
Mood shown in this text is wretched and devastating. Oedpius has now known
the
truth. He has committed a crime and has his own mother, which is his wife, committed suicide.
In the text, it says, “and there we saw her hanging, her body sawing from the cruel cord she had
nosed about her neck” (sophlces 1214). Jocasta killed herself because she can't handle being a
wife and a mother to Oedipus. Therefore, oedipus blind himself for the crime he has cause;
“straight into his own eyeballs, crying, “no more, no more shall you look on the misery about
me, the horrors of my own doing” (sophlces 1222).
Characterization, foil, and mood describes the theme, the nature of innocence and guilt
by explaining who he's, the differences between to powerful kings and the mood. The
innocence of Oedipus is he used his power for the help of Thebes, but also use his power
arrogantly. He has killed his father and his mother, without knowing the truth and use his
power too risky.