Oedipus Journal #3

In Sophocles' play Oedipus the King, the story is told from the perspective of the audience, giving them the sense that they are actually in the story observing. There is no inner thoughts revealed and so the only information gained is by the spoken word or movements. This forces the reader to analyze the character's personality and words in order to gain a deeper understanding of what Sophocles is portraying through the use of that particular character. Most characters in this play undergo very dynamic changes. Oedipus is transformed from a beloved king into a shameful outcast. Jocasta, once held the highest place of honor as queen, now is disgraced by the truth. The chorus goes from praising and supporting their king under any circumstance to berating him.
Oedipus was introduced as the savior of the land, a great and mighty king with more intellect than any other citizen. Even when he was blaming himself for the murder of Laius, with no hard evidence at that point, the people still supported him and shot down his said 'accusers'. "I know of nothing, not in the past and not now, to bring against our king, no cause to attack his fame [...] Never will I convict my king, never in my heart." (187) The people still love him and deny the seer, whom before they trusted to the very breath, they believe in the honor of their king more than in the messengers from the gods. This shows how good of a king Oedipus was, he gained the trust of the people even though they thought him a foreigner to the land, they gave him the throne and all the power and influence that comes with that right. However as Oedipus desires to find the truth, his inner personality is revealed. Inside he is a very tyrannical ruler, using force and fear to gain his subjects submissiveness. "Oh I'll let loose, I have such fury in me" (178), normally a ruler held to such high standards as Oedipus would hold back his anger and control his emotions, but rather he threatens to let it all out to scare the seer into revealing what he wants to hear. This shows a great contrast from the loving king, who saved the people from a terrible fate. Along with merely changing from his inner feelings to his outward portrayal his life is flipped around as the story progresses. "Is there a man more agonized? More wed to pain and frenzy? Not a man on earth, the joy of your life ground to nothing" (234), now Oedipus is regarded as the man with the deepest sorrows, no joys and nothing to praise him with. He is no longer the brave ruler, he is now a dishonored, disgusting man who no one desires to serve.
Jocasta at the start was very loving towards her husband, she did not know that he was indeed her son. She wanted the best for him and tried to protect him, however as she discovers the truth she too changes. She starts by telling him to ignore the prophecies for they reveal nothing and merely make men become dishonorable. Though she becomes more pious as the story progresses, she visits the alter and prays to Apollo, the same god that she denounced, in order to free Oedipus from the terrors of his mind. She wants to hide the truth from Oedipus to save him from the terrible curse that was placed upon him, she realizes that he truly is her son but she does not want him to know that. She tries desperately to diverged his thoughts but when the attempt fails she runs wildly out. Screaming in terror for what he will discover.
The people, as previously mentioned, adored the king. They would never accuse him of such gross crimes nor would they condem him based on the words of a few. However when evidence begins to pile up they suddenly turn on him. Disgrace his name and no longer hold him on high. Now he is regarded as a dishonored man, filled with agony and misfortune. They would not support him further and try not to ease his frenzied mind. This is a great turning point for the people, in Greek times their leaders were given the greatest respect and honor. Closer to the gods than any other man, to have their leader fall from their view is a great curse to be laid on any ruler. This is done to emphasize the tragedy of Oedipus' fall from power and fame, when the people betray there is no hope of recovery.