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Oedipus Rex - Oedipus Is Innocent
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Oedipus Rex - Oedipus is Innocent
Because Oedipus knows nothing about the past of Thebes, he is not an assassin. Oedipus committed murder but unknowingly of who King Laius was. Oedipus’ honor was his claim against the murder. Had it been the other way around and Oedipus had lost the battle, King Laius’ alibi would have also been for reasons of honor: for reasons of royalty. Oedipus was royalty and knew it as well did King Laius. The main idea behind Oedipus’ innocence is this "royalty." Regardless of either of their class standings a fight occurred and the one to start had been King Laius’ men, or group, the fact that they lost is not the fault of Oedipus. In other words, King Laius and his men wanted to discipline Oedipus for not showing honor towards a king. Yet, in return, Oedipus wanted respect in return from King Laius and his men. They were both rightfully due the same amount of respect yet King Laius’ and his men felt they were entitled to pass first. The first blow came from the driver of King Laius’ chariot. This shows how Oedipus reacted in defense and feared for his life as well as his honor. Oedipus is an innocent man whose fate was also his destiny. There was no way to stop the prophecy no matter what action was taken. Throughout his life he ruled for his people. He was looked at as a "mortal set apart to face life’s common issues and the trials, which the gods dispensed to men" (3). He was the hero, the one that everyone looked to in a time...
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