What Does Oedipus The Golden Mean

Sophocles’ immortal and mythical play, “Oedipus the King” is believed to be one of the greatest classical examples of tragedy. In Greek times, tragedies played a central role in the life of Greek people. They believed that it was the divine power that served as the key force behind the disintegration of man. It was the belief that those who didn’t lead a moderate, “balanced” life and crossed the limits of life would be punished by higher powers. In “Oedipus the King,” Sophocles’ colorful, stark characterization as well as his use of powerful symbols and motifs advances the cultural theme of ancient Greek values expressing balance, self-control, and moderation. The “Golden Mean” is a cultural touch stone in ancient Greek culture that held
Since the people of the crowd are supplicants—praying to Oedipus for help—it is evident that there is a level of hierarchy present. The crowd is praying and those prayers are addressed directly to Oedipus, identifying him as a significant power. His response of calling the people “my children,” suggests his sense of paternalistic control. He refers to himself as “I, Oedipus, a name that all men know,” a speech which shows his awareness of his power and reputation. Oedipus’s fundamental belief that he can overcome his fate though his exercise of freedom reflects his pride. The faith in his freedom and complete disregard for its limitations as well as his certainty that his fate will not apply to him is reflective of Oedipus’s superiority. Oedipus’s hubris reveals his unwillingness to embrace temperance. His unbalanced behavior invites disaster for him and his family as a result of his desire to discover the circumstances of his birth. Believing that he could escape the fate prophesized for him, Oedipus finds himself at a “three-way crossroads”, which is highly symbolic of choices. So doing, he is guilty of excessive pride, hubris,
As Oedipus was nearing the “three-way crossroads,” his passion was his own undoing as he succumbed to anger and slew a man, which unbeknownst to him, was his father – Laïos. The irony of this occurrence unfolding at a three way crossroad, alludes to the three fates: Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos. The crossroads are emblematic of choice, and Oedipus’s “choice” is dictated by his unrestrained passion which leads him to act irrationally. Another prevailing symbol is Oedipus’s swollen feet. Before Laïos and Iokastê gave birth to their son, Oedipus, it was prophesized by the divine powers that, one day, Oedipus would “shed his father’s blood with his own hands.” In fear of being murdered, Laïos immediately demanded that Oedipus, his own son, have his Achilles tendon pierced with pins so he wouldn’t be able to walk and then have a shepherd leave him on the Corinth hillside. Laïos’s catharsis of emotions unraveled in fear of the destruction to come from his son, he acts in rage and has no self-control in the dismissing of his son to die on the hillside of Corinth. Laïos seems to believe that he can escape his “fate,” that was already pre-destined by the Gods, similar to Oedipus’s thinking. While King of Thebes, Oedipus seemed consumed with the getting and keeping of power, and seemed suspicious of Kreon for