In reading the tragedy of Oedipus the king, it is understandable to feel pity for Oedipus. Does he really deserve everything that happens to him in this story? From the reader's perspective, all Oedipus has done is try to avoid killing his father, avoid sleeping with his mother, and follow the will of the gods. He defends himself on the roadway. He marries a widow. What has he done to deserve all of this? The answer is simple: nothing.
But this brings about the question: does Oedipus's ignorance of his actions make them justifiable? This aspect of situational ethics is often ignored in light of other more looming instances, but this is a valid question. Is ignorance innocence?
My answer would be a resounding, "No." Oedipus's ignorance of details does not incur any sort of "pass" for him, as the tragedy eventually displays. I personally like the idea that his lack of "seeing" his situation and his physical blindness towards the end are tied together-- one blindness being towards the fulfillment of a prophecy and the other being a blindness (physically) to past mistakes. His entire character depicts ignorance and its effects. In short, ignorance is not bliss (or innocence), it is a tragedy.
P.S. I commented on Ethan Lafont and Natalie Schuler's posts.
I agree as Oedipus is like many who have done wrong actions, just because someone has broken the law without knowing doesnt make it right. This models the justice system when it comes about such as rape verse consent. Does it make it right if the guy didnt know any better? No.
ReplyDeleteI suppose there's a reason that people use the phrase "Ignorance is bliss." Rather that responding properly to what he had done, he tried to ignore it- perhaps with the subconscious thought that the consequences would simply "go away" if he did so. I definitely agree. Ignorance is hardly innocence. However, it is foolishness.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Even though this whole thing begins with his parents error, Oedipus does bring this tragedy upon himself. First, he insults Teiresias and then he blames Creon for disloyalty. He thinks he is high and mighty. His ignorance of the wisdom and loyalty around cause him to suffer.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your conclusion that ignorance is not innocence for this particular situation, but not necessarily always. In many ways, Oedipus was not completely ignorant anyways.
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