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Katie Georgopoulos
Professor Howe
Theatre History and Literature I
1 October 2015
Examination of Good Intentions in Oedipus the King
A highly valued aspect of human involvement in society is acting as a good citizen. By
demonstrating citizenship in ones words and deeds, one carefully and willfully strives to be a
figure that others honor and respect. Despite immense efforts to act righteously, however, one
may still not be viewed by others as being morally good. By detailing the characters attempts at
acting as good citizens and by analyzing the consequences of those endeavors, Sophocles
Oedipus the King demonstrates that good intentions do not always yield positive outcomes.
Oedipus desire to be a virtuous and moral ruler is evident throughout the play. His
pursuit of goodness began when he chose to flee from Corinth to escape his fate of killing his
father and marrying his mother. From this point on, Oedipus hopes to defy the immorality of his
fate and lead a new life, and he initially meets this goal by singlehandedly defeating the Sphinx.
In doing so, the citizens of Athens hail him as a strong and capable ruler because he
demonstrated his devotion to preserving the well-being of his state and his people. His
allegiance is again evident during the famine of Athens, resulting from the death of King Laius.
In this time of need, Oedipus empathizes with the Athenians, saying, Your pain strikes each of
you alonebut my spirit grieves for the city (Sophocles 74-6). Oedipus feels a greater burden
than any individual citizen because he, as the king, is responsible for the well-being of the entire
city. His considerable empathy spurs him to go great lengths to find Laius murderer, as he
refuses to fail his people and ruin his reputation. To ensure that Athens will return to prosperity,

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he immediately creates a plan of action, implementing the gods wisdom. He tells his people, I
have sent Kreonto Delphi...to learn what I might do or say to save our city (81-4). Oedipus
genuine concern for his subjects is also inherent in this quote, as he specifically calls Athens
our city. In this sense, he does not place himself above his people; instead, he views himself as
one with them. Seeing the strain this disaster has placed on the people of Athens also prompts
Oedipus to enforce the harsh consequence of banishment that the gods impose on the murderer.
Furthermore, he declares, If by any chance he proves to be an intimate of our housemay the
curse I just called down on him strike me (284-7). This decree again exemplifies Oedipus
making himself equal to those he rules, for he would enact the same punishment upon himself if
he ever committed such a dishonorable deed. In this sense, all of these established actions can
characterize Oedipus as a good citizen with upright intentions: loyalty to the state, devotion to
the gods, and general concern for the well-being of his people.
Another character who acts with the best intentions is Jocasta. For instance, she is the
only character before Oedipus to discover that Oedipus did not escape his fate of killing his
father and sleeping with his mother. Once she acquires this information, she decides not to
inform Oedipus and instead opts to preserve his innocence, knowing that such information could
severely mar him. She constantly pleads for Oedipus to quiet those who are speaking against
him, begging, No, please for your sake I want the best for you (1171-2). She wants
Oedipus to uphold his reputation as a strong and capable king, and keeping this knowledge from
him is the only way Jocasta can ensure that Oedipus does not crumble. Jocastas concern for
Oedipus well-being shows her will to be an honorable protector.
Kreon also demonstrates efforts of good citizenship. He is Oedipus most trusted friend,
and he attempts to remain loyal to him and Athens throughout the play. He asserts, Reject a

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friend, a kinsman? I would as soon tear out the life within us (686-7). To Kreon, turning
against a trusted friend and leader is deplorable; maintaining loyalty is an essential aspect of
exemplary citizenship. For example, he demonstrates his faithfulness when he follows Oedipus
strategy of visiting Delphi to gain insight on how to handle the death of King Laius and the
resulting famine. Additionally, he seeks out Tiresias, whose insight is necessary for obtaining the
truth of who murdered Laos. Even though Tiresias reveals information that poses a threat to
Oedipus reputation, Kreon does not let this minimize his loyalty to Oedipus. In fact, when
Oedipus realizes the truth of his actions and views himself as horrid and corrupt, Kreon remains
by his side, appointed by Oedipus to care for his family.
Despite these characters endeavors to act rightly, all of them face grave consequences.
Although Kreons allegiance to Oedipus persists in the worst of circumstances, it eventually
falters once Oedipus declares that he, himself, is the murderer. He must follow through with his
decree and leave Athens, and Kreon can no longer support him as a virtuous leader. The initial
goodness of Oedipus leads Kreon to honor him, but now Kreons judgment is tainted. Kreon
contemplates, How wrong it is to take the good for bador take the bad for good (684-5).
Here the distinction between good and bad is a blurred one, with no certainty on either side. In
the end, Kreon loses his friend, as Oedipus must adhere to his own decree and banish himself
from Athens. Similarly, Jocastas choice of hiding the truth from Oedipus brought about more
bad than good. Jocasta herself cannot bear hearing it and is seen franticripping her hair out
and in the end, she commits suicide (1372-3). She feels partially responsible for Oedipus
current situation and for Laos death since she bore the child who murdered Laius. She simply
cannot live with the accompanying guilt. Additionally, although Jocasta tries to uphold Oedipus
innocence, Oedipus eventually finds out the truth. When Oedipus learns that he is the murderer,

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he is beside himself. Fleeing Corinth was supposed to free him from his fate, yet the Delphic
Oracles prediction still materializes. Looking back on his past actions, Oedipus reflects on his
choice to flee his fate: I heard all that and ranAlways running toward some place where I
would never see the shame of all those oracles come true (876-880). From this, Oedipus learns
that his own desires to be good hold no weight compared to the power of fate. Now all he has
done to preserve Athens is viewed as in vain, for he was never really a moral ruler. He cannot
manage the immensity of such a reversal, and he declares, I am an abomination heart and
soul! I must be exiled (906-7). His own decree comes true, and it is now he who is the enemy
he so feared before. Ultimately, Oedipus cannot tolerate the immensity of this realization and he
plunges daggers into his eyes. He physically and emotionally cannot bear the truth of who he is.
Once he was a virtuous and moral ruler, but now Oedipus sees himself as the true plague of
Athens.
The tragic outcomes of each of these characters, particularly that of Oedipus, offer much
to consider about the ethical world of the play. For example, it maintains the close boundaries
held between religion and state, as interaction with the gods influenced the strength of the state
(Zarrilli 65). In addition, the physical experience of viewing this play would have allowed for
personal connection, as the theatre space was situated in such a way that the audience saw
civilian life occurring around them. Similarly, the audience members would likely have formed
a connection with the characters, relating to their struggle to be good.
Additionally, Sophocles play likely prompted much discussion of social change in the
time it was written and these discussions are just as relevant today (Zarrilli 64). For example, it
seems that Athenian society offered no opportunity for atonement. No matter who it ended up
being, the one who murdered Laos would not receive any chance for redemption; he/she would

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just have been banished from the city. Moreover, though each character experiences serious
consequences for his/her actions, the inherent goodness of their attempts should be
acknowledged. Kreon is a devoted friend and determined citizen. Jocasta is the one who tries to
protect Oedipus from information that will ruin him. Oedipus is the ruler who equates himself
with his people and suffers with them in their time of sorrow. Are these good deeds and
honorable qualities simply disregarded once one makes an error? It seems that the Athenian
society of this time period does not allow for redemption after one commits regrettable or
immoral acts. As all humans are imperfect and bound to make mistakes, living in a society that
has no opportunity for atonement assures that its members will live a life of misery.
Furthermore, if fate plays such an enormous role in the events of ones life, one may have limited
control over ones ethical decisions, making the outcomes of ones actions uncertain.

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Works Cited
Sophocles. "Oedipus the King." The Norton Anthology of Drama. 2nd ed. Vol. 1. New York:
W.W. Norton, 2014. 144-86. Print.
Zarrilli, Phillip B., Bruce McConachie, Carol Fisher Sorgenfrei, and Gary Jay Williams.
"Religious and Civic Festivals: Early Dramas." Theatre Histories. Ed. Gary Jay Williams.
2nd ed. New York: Routledge, 2010. 58-65. Print.