Hubris - Oedipus essays

Hubris - Oedipus essays Oedipus like some other well-known Greek heroes was guilty of equating temporal success with godliness. Thus despite the prophecy of Apollo, Oedipus pushed himself into the very fate that was pre-ordained for him, while he was deliberately ignoring the negative tidings. He did not heed the prophecy believing that no one and nothing could destroy him, yet he himself brought destruction upon himself by his ruthless means and his arrogance. This excessive pride and arrogance is known as hubris and this was the tragic flaw of Oedipus that led to his downfall. It is because of this that Oedipus becomes spiritual blind and later becomes the cause of his physical blindness as well. Physical blindness was an indication of the destruction that his hubris had wrought. Spiritual blindness was indicated by his consistent rejection of Apollos prophecy. When Choragos asks Oedipus, "What god was it drove you to rake black Night across your eyes?" He replies in extreme state of agitation and anguish : He brought my sick, sick fate upon me. When all my sight was horror everywhere? Hubris thus becomes the greatest obstacle to deliberation- to the ability to reflect, think, ponder and react in moderation. The corresponding virtue for this vice was moderation. However Oedipus was blinded by his own success and thus became extremely arrogant; thereby causing his own destruction and downfall. He becomes the cause of his fathers death, sleeps with his mother and has children with her. This had all been predicted by Apollo but Oedipus was so blinded by arrogance and over confidence that he could discern what was happening. He couldnt see that Apollos predictions were coming true and thus began the hunt for his fathers killer- cursing him all along while the readers knew that he was in fact cursing himself. ...