The Role Of Pride In Oedipus The King

In the second choral ode in the second episode of Oedipus The King, written by Sophocles and translated by Robert Fagles the Chorus, begins to question their faith to the Gods they have put all trust in. The city of Thebes is a situation where a prophet has come and made ‘wild claims’ to their king while their city is dying. “Never again will I go to reverent to Delphi, the inviolate heart of the Earth or Apollo’s ancient oracle at Abae or Olympia of the fires- unless these prophecies all come true” (985-990). It is understandable that they would begin to question their belief system, but its scary to abandon what you know. It almost seems like they would prefer all these horrible prophecies from the Tiresias be true so they don’t have to
“Pride breeds the tyrant violent pride, gorging, crammed to bursting with all that is overripe and rich with ruin” (963-965). Pride being the ultimate downfall is very much a theme throughout this play, and is something I admire reading in the texts. Oedipus is an extremely proud man. He believes he has overcome prophecy, and is praised as the king of Thebes and defeater of the Sphinx. It is his pride, that he is favored by the Gods, that causes him to unravel this very belief. The very things that made him a great leader and an admirable person are quickly becoming his downfall because they are in excess. When reading this I was able to connect it with how I see politicians, specifically in election campaigns for positions in office. They begin admirably, saying they are for the people and want what’s best. They promote these ideas and goals that will get them into office and praise. Then, once they get into office they abandon the propositions that got them where they are in the first place. They become “rich with ruin” and are resented by the people that put them