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What importance does Oedipus Rex have in our society?

Though this play was written ages ago, it still holds important messages that people can learn from today. One important lesson that the tragic hero, Oedipus, learns is that a person cannot escape his or her fate no matter how hard they try. Prior to the events of the play, Oedipus’s parents learn of a disturbing prophecy regarding Oedipus’s future. They take action to avoid that prophecy, but their action actually puts the prophecy into...

Though this play was written ages ago, it still holds important messages that people can learn from today. One important lesson that the tragic hero, Oedipus, learns is that a person cannot escape his or her fate no matter how hard they try. Prior to the events of the play, Oedipus’s parents learn of a disturbing prophecy regarding Oedipus’s future. They take action to avoid that prophecy, but their action actually puts the prophecy into motion. Later, Oedipus tries to get to the truth of a murder that he is unaware he committed. Tiresias, the blind prophet, tells Oedipus that he is the murderer (as the prophecy predicted). When Oedipus refuses to believe this, Tiresias says:



"There is a multitude of other horrors which you do not even suspect, and they will equate you to yourself and to your own children… there is no man alive whose ruin will be more pitiful than yours."



People reading this play today can take a couple different lessons from this. First, it’s a lesson that we are not always in control. Oedipus refuses to believe it, but his fate is already sealed. This may be more important now than ever. As our science and technology advance, we tend to think that we can control everything, from our lifespans to diseases to the climate. Oedipus Rex is an important reminder that sometimes we just have to let things go and realize that things will happen as they will. Not only does Oedipus refuse to believe the prophecy, but he won’t stop until he finds out the “truth.” His discovery of the truth is part of what seals his downfall. If he had just left things alone, he might not have discovered that he was indeed living the prophecy he so desperately wanted to avoid. This, again, is an important lesson to society: it may not be to our benefit to know everything there is to know about everything. Like Oedipus, our pride can sometimes get us into trouble and lead us to discoveries we may not want to make. It takes a lot for Oedipus to finally learn some humility, and when he does, it’s too late.

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