Not a Hero......?

I found it very interesting in class, when we discussed Oedipus’ reaction to the high point of his personal tragedy. He made himself blind and accepted his punishment without a fight. Why did he act the way he did. Looking at his pride from the past, I thought he would react to his tragedy differently. It’s almost as if Oedipus was transformed. This, unlike my last statement, does not surprise me. I know that when I am humbled, I become a different person, after I realize my position. Perhaps Oedipus realized he didn’t have much control. He realized how little power he had all along.

At the end of class we talked about Oedipus’ position at the end of the book. In a sense, he became a hero, despite his personal tragedy. This was a very interesting parallel to me. Even though he committed crimes against his own family, which was normally the cause of disrespect, you could almost say he was respected for the way he handled his destiny. Earlier in his life he ran from it, or so he thought. Really he was running directly towards his destiny. He realized his fate and finally decided to accept it head on.

“Oh but this I know: no sickness can destroy me, nothing can. I have been saved for something great and terrible, something strange. Well let my destiny come and take me on it’s way!”

Another reason why I think he accepted his Fate the way he did was his love for Thebes. Earlier he had tried to save Thebes in an indirect way. In the end he asked to leave Thebes, I think both beacause of shame and because he wanted to save Thebes. His fate was now open to him. He no longer was “blind.” He might as well not fight his fate. He had tried before.
I do not think Oedipus was perfect. He definitely had his flaws. Some of his decisions I don’t credit. But for the way he handled the height of his tragedy, to me, in a strange sense, he was a hero. He was not a Hero… yet…… a Hero.

P.S. I commented on tindall2009's post