Free Essays - Social Expectations in Oedipus the King (Oedipus Rex) :: Oedipus the King Oedipus Rex

Social Expectations in Oedipus the King     It is made clear that the citizens of Thebes were religious and had a deep confidence on the gods. You cannot equal the gods...p161. It was expected soci every last(predicate)y, that the citizens of Thebes recognized the gods power, and so for Jocasta to refer to the prophecies as hollow would not have been gener wholey accepted behaviour.   The non-Christian priest is an immemorial and religious man, something we realise is well respected in Thebes as Oedipus who is king, speaks with the priest on an equal level. The elderly were considered to be wise and therefore socially it would be expected that even the king should be polite to them. speak up, old man. Your years, your dignity... p. 159   Oedipus is rude to Teiresias who is also a wise and religious man. Youre a nuisance here...p185. Oedipus is not living up to his social expectations here, signifying he is prompt approaching his downfall.   Oedi pus is seen to have double standards with regards to the idea of murder. He is aware that he has killed someone, yet to hear that King Laius was killed, he seems appalled, ...so daring, so wild, hed kill a king?p166. It is depicted as beingnessness clean-livingly less unexceptionable to kill someone of royal blood.   The king was someone who the mickle of Thebes turned to when they needed answer, find us strength, rescue p. 161. Oedipus had set himself utmost social expectations after helping free Thebes from the sphinx. Oedipus was admired as being best of men p. 161, and therefore socially the citizens would have expected him to help them when they needed it. Oedipus was kinder to the citizens and more open with them than was generally expected from a king, my children p. 162. He spoke to them directly and not through a messenger, showing the parsimony between the people and their king, Here I am myself... p. 159.   Oedipus and Creon put all their effo rts in to finding the killer of Laius. They take it on as their moral obligation as it has gone so far without justice being made, But you, loyal men of Thebes who approve my actions, may our champion, Justice, may all the gods be with us.