zen cares only for themselves and for their good health, he grieves and cares for the whole city, for himself and all of the citizens. In their darkest hour he has not forgotten them, but instead he has not been able to sleep because he has “wept” for the misfortune of the citizens. Oedipus later says to his people, “I know you are sick to death, all of you, but sick as you are, not one is sick as I”(Sophocles 1226). When Oedipus mentions sick he is not referring to being sick physically, but rather being sick mentally with his rage and with his questions. Oedipus tells his people that he shares their pains and sorrow and that he is not able to sleep, because he has been crying and searching for the answers that will bring an end to the plague which is ravaging the city of Thebes. E.R Dodds, author of the essay On Misunderstanding the Oedipus Rex, confirms Oedipus was a compassionate man whom seeks the truth for his people. He shows that because of the heroic status of Oedipus he was a man freely choosing from the highest emotions, a series of actions, which would lead to his downfall. Oedipus could have very easily left the plague untouched to take its course. But his feelings for the suffering citizens compelled him to consult the Oracle of Delphi. When Creon arrived with the word of Apollo he could he left the murder of Lauis uninvestigated; but his heroic qualities required him to act. Wilkins 5King Oedipus possessed all the characteristics of a hero, but the three that brought him stumbling to his knees were his pride, ego, and his temper. Oedipus’s pride overwhelmed him, it became a major weakness in his life, Oedipus’s huge ego is evident when we read, “I thought it wrong, my children to hear the truth from others, messengers. Here I am myself- you all know me, the world knows my fame: I am Oedipus”(Sophocles 1225). The pride that consumes Oedipus causes him to falsely accuse his b...
