The Inevitable Fate of Jocasta

In the play Oedipus the King, by Sophocles, Jocasta becomes the victim of Oedipus’s fate. Despite Jocasta’s loving disposition, incredulous thoughts regarding the prophecies, and her protective nature towards Oedipus, Jocasta’s tragic fate is inevitable. Jocasta clearly displays her loving character trait repeatedly throughout the play. Immediately after making her first appearance on stage, she catches Creon and Oedipus in the midst of a dispute. Showing no signs of hesitation to the audience, she breaks up the argument and asks the two brothers, “ ‘Aren’t you ashamed, with the land so sick, to stir up private quarrels?’ ” (Sophocles 710-711). By this statement, Jocasta shows her unwavering passion for the land of Thebes. With the Black Plague spreading throughout the land, and Thebans falling ill, Jocasta is truly saddened while at the same time, troubled by how the citizens would perceive the bickering within the royal family during this difficult period. In addition, Jocasta displays her love for Oedipus. From the beginning of their relationship as husband and wife, until the very end when the newfound relationship is discovered to be mother and son, Jocasta remains invested in her love for Oedipus. She shows her love for him when Oedipus instructs her to search and bring forward the peasant who was present at the scene of Laius’s murder. Jocasta quickly responds by saying, “ ‘I’ll send at once...I’d never displease you, least of all in this’ ” (951-952). Here, Jocasta shows her love by supporting Oedipus during this stressful time. This quote is significant because Jocasta expresses how she would do anything for him, proving that she is a loving wife, and later, found to be a loving mother.

Cited: Sophocles. Oedipus the King. An Introduction to Literature. Ed. Sylvan Barnet, William Burto, and William E. Cain. 16th ed. New York: Longman, 2011. 910-952. Print.