Oedipus The King Jocasta Quotes

Everyone knows someone who is completely self-centered and thinks the world revolves around them. In Oedipus the King, Jocasta is that person. The play, Oedipus the King by Sophocles, was believed to be written in 430 b.c., and is set in the royal palace of Thebes. Jocasta is an important character in this play and is a mother and a wife to Oedipus. Jocasta constantly shows hypocritical, selfish and cowardly behaviors that inspire hatred from the audience.
She is self-righteous and fearful in all the choices she makes. For example, in this quote Jocasta says, “So much for prophecy. It's neither here nor there. from this day on, I wouldn't look right or left” (Sophocles 208). She is hypocritical because she dismisses the legitimacy of this
The audience can clearly see this when she replies to Oedipus, “That man, why ask? Old shepherd talk, empty nonsense, don't give it another thought, don't even think” (Sophocles 222). Now Jocasta has the full truth yet is unwilling to share, and even tries to deter Oedipus from finding the truth that will save Thebes. She understands that others will see her as a disgrace if others find out the truth about what Oedipus, her husband has done. She also understands that the plague will devastate Thebes is the people don’t find out the truth about Oedipus. Knowing how she could hurt Thebes she selfishly tries to preserve her image at the expense of the people of Thebes. Oedipus has to reassure Jocasta, saying, “Even if my mother turns out to be a slave, and I a slave, three generations back, you would not seem common” (Sophocles 222). What people think of someone says a lot about them. Oedipus thinks Jocasta is concerned about being perceived as common and not royal. The fact that Oedipus would think this says something about Jocasta as a person. If Oedipus, her husband, thinks she is vain and self-center enough to be worried about her status, then he is probably right. Jocasta is conceited and