Hey guys, I stumbled across the forum a few days ago amidst my work on this essay. I haven't done much to it since then so it's still pretty rough, but I think it's starting to shape up idea wise. It's due Friday and my teacher doesn't have enough time on his hands to give me the amount of feedback I'm looking for, hence why it's up here. As I said in the title I'm looking to raise my grade here so absolutely any help is appreciated. Oh, just to make it clear my three arguments are the unfair effects of dramatic irony on the scrutiny of Oedipus, his dedication to help the people of Thebes rather than live up to his own expectations or standards, and his ability to essentially finish what he commits to.
Thanks, Charlie
Oedipus
"Such a person who neither is superior [to us] in virtue and justice, nor undergoes a change to misfortune because of vice and wickedness, but because of some error, and who is one of those people with a great reputation and good fortune."
-Aristotle
Dramatic irony allows Oedipus' decisions and actions to be easily criticized, even though he is the only character shown to act decisively. This willingness to act leads to his eventual suffering, but he follows his path of action ignorant to the fact his abhorrent fate is being fulfilled. In essence, Oedipus accomplishes what he sets out to do, regardless of the repercussions his enlightenment imposes upon him. Furthermore, in the few instances when others attempt to help, their actions only serve to worsen Oedipus' predicament. This self-assertion and decisiveness is Oedipus' most prominent, and arguably positive attribute. It truly is a double-edged sword; Oedipus' stubborn drive to fulfill his inevitable destruction portrays him as the tragic hero.
Appearances are misleading. It is easy for one to swiftly pass judgment on Oedipus' deficiencies when analyzing his decisions and behavior, especially as the audience is granted information that is otherwise unknown to the Oedipus. However, Oedipus is left open to scrutiny for many reasons that are completely out of his control. He is the only one with the ability to have an adverse affect on the situation and because of that he is the only character shown to act decisively. Oedipus puts forth his best effort to address his responsibility to act, ignorant to the fact it will bring forth his undoing. When the audience is granted the privilege of foresight, it negates the evaluation and appreciation of the effort Oedipus puts forth. It forces one, unknowingly to the individual, to focus directly on the downfall of Oedipus and criticize his decisions with that specific perspective, when in reality his decisions are made ignorantly. Dramatic irony essentially adjusts the perspective that the plot is analyzed upon. Due to this shift, it is unfair to scrutinize Oedipus based on his decisions as a leader as he merely addressed his obligation as the king of Thebes to help his citizens.
Oedipus sets out to find the murderer of Liaus because he has the best interest of his subjects in mind. He merely utilizes his admirable determination to save those whom he is responsible for, not to validate himself as a ruler. Although one may argue that Oedipus perseverance stems from his need to live up to the standards of greatness he has set for himself, that does not lessen his unselfish determination to save the people of Thebes. This selfless drive is prevalent almost immediately, as Oedipus addresses his subjects
"I grieve for you, my children. Believe me, I know all that you desire of me, all that you suffer; and while you suffer, none suffers more than I. You have your several griefs, each for himself; but my heart bears the weight of my own, and yours and all my people's sorrows. I am not asleep."
Oedipus is so greatly involved in the lives of the people of Thebes that it physically affects him to know something is ailing them. This in turn triggers a sense of responsibility, causing Oedipus to put his full interest into alleviating said ailment. It is clear that Oedipus' intentions of perseverance and decisive action are those that have been spawned through unselfish compassion, rather than self-righteousness.
Decisive action in itself is an admirable trait, but is meaningless without the character to finish initiated action. Oedipus not only demonstrates the willingness and intention to act, he follows through on his responsibility to complete his promise to Thebes. This trait of finishing what he has set out to do is magnified through the fact that the end result is one that is detrimental to Oedipus' being, mentally and physically. Not only does the unraveling of the truth have a negative impact on Oedipus, he is warned, multiple times by multiple people, of the unappealing nature of the information he pursues. When Oedipus is moments away from finding out the truth behind Liaus' murder, he is implored by Jocasta not to forge on in his quest for knowledge when she states "What does it matter what man he means? It makes no difference now... Forget what he has told you... It makes no difference". In spite of this discouragement, Oedipus is not fazed. Instead of selfishly giving into this foreboding warning, he realizes that he must find out the truth for the benefit of his citizens. It makes no difference that he is the killer, as it merely exists an afterthought when analyzing his dedication and the ability to act selflessly in the face of adversity.
Oedipus should be praised, not criticized for his role in fulfilling his responsibility to Thebes and in the end, embracing his fate. The thought is not given to the result of Oedipus' quest; it is lent to his ability to unravel this mystery through his dedication and action. Put in a situation where he is demonstrated as the only person willing to act decisively, Oedipus does his utmost best to alleviate the suffering of his people and serve as a righteous king.
