Volume 19, 2007 - Brown University

Major Opposition in Oedipus the King 23
of darkness. In this way, these opposing terms are collapsed into Oedipus’
double character.
The statement “I am Oedipus” undergoes a drastic change in meaning as
the plot of the tragedy progresses and its action is reversed. The character of
Oedipus includes both the positive and negative extremes of the oppositions; he
is both a savior and a destroyer, a curser and the cursed, and a blind man who
can see. Oedipus defies specific labels because, in his own words, “It’s wrong to
name what’s wrong to do” (Oed. 1543). By collapsing oppositions in the character
of Oedipus, Sophocles conveys the central tragic irony of the protagonist—
his inability to divide his traits. Oedipus tries so hard to carry out his role as a
savior, a detective, and the civic servant of his people, yet by doing so he reveals
himself as the fulfillment of a terrible set of qualities. Oedipus diligently
attempts to see the true nature of his identity, but when he succeeds, he blinds
himself.
Sophocles collapses a series of oppositions onto the character of Oedipus
in order to convey his tragic vision of the duality of humankind. Oedipus
embodies the polarization of human qualities, and his character reflects
everything that man can be at his positive and negative extremes, from a noble
king to an incestuous murderer. Even though man may view himself as a heroic
figure of great intelligence and achievement, when he undertakes an
investigation into his true identity, he may find that he is ignorant and corrupt.
By characterizing Oedipus as the embodiment of both positive and negative
qualities, Sophocles offers a tragic vision of a man divided against himself that
reflects the duality of human nature.
References
Sophocles. 1984. The Three Theban Plays. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin
Books.