Oh the consequences...
I see this story as a case of stimulus, response. In my opinion, if Oedipus had simply left the matter of the murder of Laios alone and not questioned anyone about it's circumstances, he'd still have his eyes and his wife/mother would still be alive, and no one would be any wiser as to what was actually going on - but hey, ignorance is bliss. Instead, Oedipus had to go and ask the blind prophet questions. And you would think that when he didn't like what the guy was saying, he would let it go, but no - the prophet's wise words implanted that seed of doubt in Oedipus's mind, essentially becoming the catalyst for the later revelations that caused the tale to end as sadly as it did. As his doubt grew, Oedipus kept pushing, kept wanting to know more - even though it was hurting him, and the people around him. The rising tension was not easily ignored. As for his wife/mother, she seemed to be a bit wiser than he - when she left the scene, it was obvious she knew what was going on - and her following suicide was something that most people would see coming. And who would blame her for such actions? So as for Oedipus, who was left suffering greatly, it could be said that a little learning is in fact a dangerous thing. The thing is, some things are just better left unsaid, and unknown. It's better for everyone that way.
posted by Libby @ 11:41 AM
3 Comments:
Personally, I think some things are better known. Had Iocaste known she had married her son, she may have left him instead of killing herself. If Oedipus had known that he was going to kill his father, he may have done something to prepare himself for the consequences, or try to stay clear of sharp objects when around people. Who knows? I'll ask you the same question I asked Lauren--if someone had the knowledge that you were going to die, would you want to know? I think its all a matter of personal choice. But had they known what was going to happen, there probably would not have been a tragedy. So let's thank Mr. Sophocles for making Oedipus with such a large amount of pride, and little knowledge of when to shut up!
I don't think ignorance is bliss applies in this case. For Oedipus to sit back and forget about the mystery would be as great betrayal to himself as the act he already commited. At the beginning of the play he makes a vow to his people and to himself to do whatever it takes to avenge the death of Laios. He may not have gouged his eyes out, but leaving the mystery unsolved his somehow a more severe crime than the first. He must atone for his blindness in order to save his family from being cursed forever. He seems more heroic at the end because he confronts his demons. Not many of us can stake that claim.
I completely disagree with your first statement. This play is entirely about fate and predetermined destiny, it wouldn't matter about Laios' murder, destiny is destiny. Oedipus was destined to kill his father and bed his mother. Nothing was going to change that, it's just that when he discovered his fate, he put forth so much effort to avoid it that he didn't even realize he stepping right into the trap.
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