What was the Oracle’s advice to get rid of the terrible plague in Oedipus Rex?
Oedipus Rex is a notable literary work by Sophocles. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Oedipus Rex.
Answer
What was the Oracle’s advice to get rid of the terrible plague in Oedipus Rex?
Oedipus Rex (429 BC) is the most celebrated and iconic creation by Sophocles (496-406 BC). In Sophocles’s “Oedipus Rex,” the Oracle’s advice to rid Thebes of the terrible plague is significant in the play’s plot development. The Oracle’s advice develops in several stages. Each holds significant weight in Oedipus’s quest for truth and solution.
Identifying the Murderer of Laius: The Oracle urges Thebes to seek out and punish the murderer of King Laius. The murderer’s presence has brought the plague upon the city. As the blind prophet states to Oedipus,
Drive out this defilement from the land,
Don’t harbor it any longer
The Oracle’s order sets Oedipus on a mission to uncover the truth behind Laius’ death. Oedipus is unaware that the truth will ultimately ruin him.
Pursuit of Truth and Justice: The Oracle emphasizes the necessity of uncovering the truth to restore order. Oedipus is driven by a desire to rid Thebes of the plague. He promises to find the murderer. The Oracle’s advice drives Oedipus into an obsessive pursuit of truth. This reveals the tragic irony of his fate.
Confrontation with Tiresias: Tiresias, the blind prophet, reveals the truth of Laius’ murder. Tiresias hints at the Oracle’s words, saying,
I say you are the murderer whom you seek.
The Oracle’s advice indirectly appears through Tiresias. He triggers a series of events that lead Oedipus closer to the horrifying realization of his actions.
Acceptance of Fate: The Oracle’s advice ultimately leads Oedipus to the devastating truth of his identity and actions. Oedipus finally understands the depth of his tragic destiny. The Oracle’s guidance becomes the forerunner of Oedipus’s gloomy fate. The Oracle prophesies the conclusive consequences of his actions.
The Oracle’s advice in “Oedipus Rex” sets a chain of events that unravels the truth in motion. The Oracle’s advice leads to the tragic revelation of Oedipus’s identity and destiny despite his relentless efforts to avoid it.