I’ve always loved this play. This is just so tragic, the way Oedipus tries to escape his fate only to meet it. I love your analysis when you say: prophecies aren’t just predictions, but they’re images of our fears and desires. Oedipus didn’t run towards his fate, but away from it. In doing so, he embraced it. The same is true for Laius and Jocasta. Their attempt to kill their child was born of fear of what might come. Yet this very act set everything in motion.
You just made me realize that I've made a boo-boo in the lines you quoted. I wanted to say "Oedipus didn't run away from his fate, but towards it." Haha, corrected — thanks! I'm glad you liked the essay. I've started reading Antigone!
I’ve always loved this play. This is just so tragic, the way Oedipus tries to escape his fate only to meet it. I love your analysis when you say: prophecies aren’t just predictions, but they’re images of our fears and desires. Oedipus didn’t run towards his fate, but away from it. In doing so, he embraced it. The same is true for Laius and Jocasta. Their attempt to kill their child was born of fear of what might come. Yet this very act set everything in motion.
You just made me realize that I've made a boo-boo in the lines you quoted. I wanted to say "Oedipus didn't run away from his fate, but towards it." Haha, corrected — thanks! I'm glad you liked the essay. I've started reading Antigone!