Odeipus the King

In "Oedipus the King" it is evident that Sophocles incorporated the values of the Greeks from that period. During this time earth was thought to be ruled by gods and other supernatural beings. It is the Sphinx who is said to have the curse over the city of Thebes. The Sphinx's riddle is to be solved because it held the city captive. The oracle is also mentioned, specifically the Delphic Oracle. These oracles were often thought to have the power to predict the future. Creon is sent to ask the oracle how to stop the plague. The role of the gods played a major role in Greek culture as well. The chorus in "Oedipus the King" sings to these gods. They hope Apollo, Athena, and Artemis can help save their city. Another prophet Tiresias is sought after for help to free the city of the plague as well. Toward the end of the story through the talks of Oedipus and Jocasta it is clear how much the gods have an impact on the people. They rely on the prophesies and realize that if the prophesies are false than there is no real pattern or system on earth and everything is left to change. The values of Jocasta are made clear when she is mortified by the fact that her husband might not really be from a royal family. Sophocles includes the beliefs of the people in Greece during the time he writes. It is likely that he too follows the ways of his people and rely on gods to provide the order on earth.

Oedipus was a hero by the standards of the Greeks. From the beginning of "Oedipus the King" was a great leader, one concerned for his people. Before they asked he was already trying to put a stop to the plague. He seems dedicated to finding Lauis' murderer and giving him the punishment he deserves- even if it is his only family member. He is outraged by the murder this makes myself as well as the Greeks compassionate toward Oedipus, despite knowing that it is himself that is the murderer. He seems genuinely concerned for his city. Due to Oedipus' fall he can be seen as a tragic hero. Even depite the fact that Oedipus was actually Lauis' murderer I think that he was still loved. It seems that he feels terrible for what has happened and the reader feels sympathy toward him as he leaves his daughters and wishes them a better life than the one he lived. Oedipus is certainly concerned for his people as well as his family and this made him a hero.