ate and lets Kreon become ruler. “No, For the love of God, conceal me/Somewhere far from Thebes; or kill me; or hurl me/Into the sea, away from men’s eyes for ever” (Exodos.182-184). Oedipus knows what he did is wrong and knows that he deserves to be exiled. He is realistic in his punishment. Because Oedipus Rex is such a good, appropriate, consistent, and realistic character throughout the entire play, his strengths become his weaknesses and ruin his life; Hence, the tragic hero. 2)To me, I think that two themes throughout Oedipus Rex are universal. First, the theme of self-identity plays a role in this play. I think that everyone can identify with the desire to know whom he or she is, searching for his or her own self-identity. During this play, Oedipus is searching for his identity. That is why he asks the messenger who the shepherd was that had him. “Is he alive? Can I see him?” (3.126). Oedipus is searching for the truth, to find out who he really is. Now, in the year 2001, most people would need to know whom they really are and who their parents are, for a strong self-identity, just as Oedipus needed to know. Additionally, the second universal theme that is existent throughout this play is of faith in Our God. Oedipus has faith in his gods and respects them. That is why Iokaste and Oedipus consult the Oracles for truth. “O Lord Apollo! /May his news be fair as his face radiant!” (Prologue.82-83). This shows that he respects Apollo and trusts in him, hoping that he will give him to the truth to help make things right again. Also, when Kreon arrives with the news from Apollo, Oedipus says, “What answer do you bring us from the god?” (Prologue.88). This proves that Oedipus has faith in his god and that his god will have an answer to all of his questions. We have the same faith in Our God as Oedipus has in his. We just express our faith in a little differen...
