Oedipus Crime Essay, Research Paper

Oedipus, ruler of Thebes, murdered his father and married his mother. Such acts

are almost always deemed unnatural and criminal; they are not tolerated within

traditional society. A person who has committed these illegal acts of murder and

incest would be considered a criminal, yet Sophocles?s character, Oedipus, is

not guilty of either crime. Prior to the birth of Oedipus, a prophecy was spoken

over Laius and his wife Jocasta. They were told that their son would one day be

his father?s killer and would then marry his mother. In fear, King Laius and

Queen Jocasta sent the baby Oedipus off with a slave to be killed. He was never

killed, but rather was given to a childless king and queen which lovingly raised

him. Oedipus was never factually told about his lineage. Later in his life,

Oedipus was confronted by several unknown men while traveling. Upon

confrontation, Oedipus killed all but one of the men in self defense.

Unknowingly, Oedipus had begun to fulfill the prophecy for one of the men had

been his birth father, Laius. While still traveling, Oedipus had come to the

city of Thebes. There, he saved the city from the wrath of the Sphinx by solving

her riddle. Seen as a savior by the citizens of Thebes, Oedipus was made king

and subsequently, the husband of Jocasta. Oedipus and his wife-mother ruled

together and had four children while never knowing of the true relationship

between each other. As the tragedy comes to a close, the truth is revealed to

Oedipus concerning his lineage and unnatural actions. Although the truth had

been spoken to him about these matters previously, Oedipus had chosen not to

believe and understandably so. True revelation comes to Oedipus through the same

slave that had been ordered to kill him as a baby. Since Oedipus had no

knowledge of his birth parents, he cannot be accused of knowingly fulfilling the

prophecy. He had no understanding of Laius as his birth father upon killing him.

One might say that Oedipus is then guilty of murder regardless, but if he had

killed in self defense, that cannot be true. Likewise, if Oedipus had no

understanding of Jocasta as his birth mother, then he cannot be guilty of

incest. Neither can he be guilty of defiling Laius?s marriage bed, as he did

not know that Jocasta was the wife of the man he had murdered. Oedipus cannot be

guilty of lying to the people of the city of Thebes since he did not know he was

not speaking the truth. Unfortunately, Oedipus was the victim of destiny. The

gods caused him to fall prey to fate and injustice. According to the norms of

modern Criminal Justice, an individual cannot be guilty of a crime that he did

not understandably commit; he cannot be guilty of a crime unless there is

evidence of mens rea. A crime is defined as an act act punishable by law; a sin;

a grave offense. Oedipus cannot be guilty of an act, sin or grave offense that

he did not knowingly commit.