Who Is To Blame For Oedipus Downfall

Oedipus is the tragically cursed main character in the Greek play, Oedipus Rex, by Sophocles. Oedipus is doomed to kill his father and marry his mother. Oedipus has many characteristics that affect the decisions that eventually bring him to his doom. Oedipus’ downfall was caused by his own actions and he is the only one that can be blamed for his own misfortunes. Some of the traits Oedipus possesses that cause his downfall are swift action, truthfulness, and impatience. These qualities destroy Oedipus throughout his life.
Oedipus’ swift action certainly brings him to his tragic doom. Oedipus’ haste is demonstrated when he is returning from his visit from the Oracle. On his way back, Oedipus runs into some men on the road. Neither of the men
want to move to the side to let the other pass. Oedipus said, “The leader roughly ordered me out of the way…It was the driver that thrust me aside, and him I struck…” (Sophocles, 53, 804-806) In haste, Oedipus kills all of the men except for the one who managed to escape. However, Oedipus was unaware that one of the men he killed was his father, Laius. If Oedipus had acted less rashly, had thought about the situation, and had not acted in haste, he might not have killed his father. Swift action brings Oedipus to his doom because if he would have analyzed the situation, and not acted so quickly, Oedipus might not have murdered his father, and averted his fate. Another trait that brought Oedipus to his downfall was his own truthfulness. As soon as new facts regarding Laius’ death were told, Oedipus gave them an honest look. When it was suspected that Oedipus was involved, he admitted it, “Alas! All out! All known, no more concealment!/…Revealed as I am, Sinful in my begetting,/ Sinful in marriage, sinful in shedding blood! ” (lines 188 – 191, pg 58) Oedipus never held back any evidence that would lead to his possible banishment from Thebes. As a result of Oedipus’ truthfulness, he admitted killing Laius. Furthermore, had he concealed the fact that he killed his father and married his mother Oedipus would not have been placed in a position to banish himself. Oedipus’ impatience is another one of his character traits that bring him to his doom.
This lack of patience is exemplified when he tries to solve the mystery of Laius’ murder as quickly as possible. The city of Thebes is plagued because Laius’ death was never avenged. Due to Oedipus’ desperation to restore order to Thebes, he proclaims that anyone who has information regarding Laius’ death will be rewarded and the killer will be exiled. At this time in the play, Oedipus is clueless about who his true parents are. Oedipus lack patience is demonstrated again when Teiresias goes to see Oedipus. Oedipus begs him to reveal who Laius’ murderer is, but Teiresias replies that he knows the truth, but he would not reveal it to Oedipus. Oedipus is again impatient and maligns and is rude to Teiresias. Provoked by Oedipus’ insults, Teiresias hints, in riddles, that Oedipus is the killer. Oedipus then accuses Teiresias of being the killer. Teiresias, in rage, tells Oedipus that he is the murderer of Laius. “I say that the killer you are seeking is yourself.” (line 362, pg 36) If Oedipus had not been so impatient, he would not have provoked Teiresias to let Oedipus know he killed Laius. Oedipus’ lack of patience helps bring Oedipus to his doom if he had been more patient and not killed Laius on the way back from his trip, Oedipus would have averted his fate. Also, if Oedipus had not been so impatient and not provoked Teiresias, Teiresias might not have revealed the truth to
Oedipus.
The downfall of Oedipus was initiated by his traits of swift action, truthfulness, and impatience. Oedipus solidified his tragic doom by his own actions and characteristics. Oedipus can only blame himself for his misfortunes. Oedipus’ qualities of swift action, truthfulness, and impatience help destroy Oedipus all through his life.