Oedipus Rex: Self Discovery

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they
discover the murder of Laius,that Oedipus begins his great search.
Oedipus vows to his subjects that he will find the contaminator of
Thebes, not knowing that he has brought on the sickness of the people; "So
shall you see me, as of right, with you, venging this country and the God
together. Why, 'tis not for my neighbour's sake, but mine, I shall dispel
this plague-spot; for the man, whoever it may be, who murdered him, lightly
might hanker to serve me the same. I benefit myself in aiding him."
(Oedipus p6) With that vow he unknowingly starts his search for who he is.
Oedipus starts the search for the murderer by sending for Tiresia, "the
godlike seer, the only man who has in him a tongue that cannot lie."
(Senator p11) The news that Tiresias brings causes the search to take an
unexpected turn.
Tiresias tells Oedipus that is is he who has caused Thebes to fall
apart; "I say that you are Laius's murderer-He whom you seek." (Tiresias
p14)
Oedipus believes ...

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how he was traveling. He does this to
try and figure out if Laius was the man he slayed. He remembers what he was
told by a gypsy. He was told almost the same story that Laius heard, which
was that he would kill his father and wed his mother so he fled from
Cornith to try and escape his fate.
Oedipus sends for the herdsman, because he believes the herdsman can
tell him whether it was mor than one man that killed Laius. If the herdsman
can tell him it was "robbers" that murdered Laius then it would absolve
Oedipus of guilt. Instead of the herdsman bringing him good news, a
messenger comes to tell Oedipus that his so called father, Polybus died by
natural cause. This news should bring ...

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