Initially I questioned Oedipus’ ability
to be a leader. The first scene of the play demonstrates arrogance and poor
communication. Soon afterward Oedipus
reveals secret information, thereby bringing into question his thought process.
However as the play progressed, I noticed the positive characteristic of
Oedipus’ leadership such as forward thinking, commitment, and determination.
Although the latter can be beneficial, it can also have negative consequences
as it causes him to be stubborn, dismissive, and quick tempered. Oedipus’ anger
that accompanies this determination is easily provoked and demonstrates a lack
of self-control. Additionally Oedipus’ engrossment in finding his true identity
and ignoring the plague reveals that he is self-centered and easily distracted.
Despite an overwhelming amount of negative characteristics, I found myself
sympathizing with Oedipus when he suffered. Like many Greek heroes, Oedipus’
imperfection made him human, allowing me to connect with him and feel Oedipus
was undeserving of such an unfortunate fate. This sense of identification
causes Oedipus’ suffering to appear unjust and severe, but also demonstrates
the power of the ethics of individual cultures.
From the play I have learned about the
power and immortality of a society’s unwritten laws. As the chorus states there
are laws to society that are even above the gods and to break them is one of
the worst offenses one can commit. In the play Oedipus breaks two of them,
incest and patricide, and quickly changes from being a highly respected hero
and king to being ousted from power and so disgraceful that people, including
himself, will not even look at him. The power of the unwritten laws is so
extensive that the shame of Oedipus does not end with him but extends to his children.
The second point the play reveals is man’s insignificance. Although man’s
inferiority to the ancient gods is no longer as strong in modern society, man’s
insignificance to forces greater than himself is still universally accepted in
the modern age.
