The Impact of Truth in Oedipus Rex (the King) Essay -- Oedipus the Kin

The Impact of Truth in Oedipus Rex (the King)   Truth has make me strong. This is a summon from Tiresias, one of the characters in Sophocless tragedy, Oedipus Rex. The quote has different meaning and relevance for each of the different characters, but for the character of Creon, the quote is completely true. By the end of the play, the truth had not only prompted Oedipus to grant Creon, clearing his name of any previous accusations, but the truth had also made Creon Oedipuss successor. However, Creon was not one to squander the power that he knew can be gained from knowing the truth. He understood its power and importance, and kept it private. For the majority of the play, right up until the very end, Oedipus envisions Creon as an enemy. He thinks that Creon, in league with Tiresias, is Laiuss murderer and is conspiring to knock over the king and take the throne for himself, You the murderer so self-proved, the self-condemned filcher of my thrown...(29). However, when t he truth comes out that Oedipus has married his mother and killed his father, all is forgiven between the king and Creon. Oedipus makes this beautifully clear when he says God bless you, Creon, bless your path through living, encompass you with surer joys than mine(78). Having a good and unmarred reputation is a form of power in that people will respect the person, as well as listen to what he or she has to say. If the truth had never come out and Oedipus had never made peace with Creon, Creons reputation would have been that of a traitor and a murderer. No one would have respected him and he would not have had any practicable strength. The power that Creon ended up with is best described in this quote from the Chorus Wait Here comes Creon...... ...ly saw the world. For the first time, he understands his surroundings, and understands the world for what it real was. Even though the truth takes away his family, kingdom, pride and possessions, the truth gives him something he needs more than all of those understanding. Sophocles shows his brilliance as a playwright by adding intelligent, terrible irony to the end of the play. The irony is that at the monumental change in Oedipus life, when he can, for the first time, see the world with clarity, he can see nothing at all, for he blinds himself. Oedipus becomes like Tiresias, visually blind, but mentally clear. Perhaps Oedipus unintentionally takes an example from Tiresias, learning that it is far better to live ones life without sight and see the world clearly through the minds eye, than to be able to see, but have ones sight blinded by pride.