Towards the end of the story Oedipus’ wrongdoings are
revealed to everyone. The results lead to chaos and heartbreak. Jocasta kills
herself because of the shame and Oedipus gouges his eyes out because of the
pain. Oedipus goes insane with guilt and shame and lets the Chorus see this. He
says “Curse him, kill him! If I’d died then, I’d never have dragged myself, my
loved ones through such hell (1487-1489).” He wails of all the things he has
done wrong and all of his regrets. He wishes he was killed when he was born so
his family didn’t have to go through this pain.
The end of the play is Oedipus’ downfall.
He goes insane and is replaced as king by Creon. Oedipus is exiled from the
kingdom and sees his kids for the last time. In the beginning, Oedipus thinks
he knows everything when he doesn’t know anything. He doesn’t know that he is
the murderer of Laius and the son of Jocasta. He thinks he is right even when
Creon tells him he is the culprit and refuses to believe anyone. This makes the
end much more ironic as he hits rock bottom. He finds out everything in the end
and realizes he was wrong all along and is pushed into a tragic state of shame.
The whole play is a paradox also as there is a huge contrast between the
beginning and the end. Oedipus is totally confident and in the end he is an
insane and wrecked man ready to face exile. His hubris may have heightened his
despair as his love for his mother is magnified and all of his wrong assumptions are
pointed on him.
Sadly for Oedipus, his reputation and life is over as he uncovers his past and learns about the hideous crimes he commits. In the play, the audience sees a moment when Oedipus makes a critical discovery known as an anagnorisis. The moment when Oedipus finds out that he murders his actual father and marries his mother, which is an incest, is his downfall. He lost everything by looking for the murderer as well as uncovering the truth of his long lost past. Poor Oedipus went from being a respected hero and king who demonstrates leadership, determination, and brilliance to an insane man who blinds himself in order to hide from the truth as well as being banish permanently from the city by Creon and the gods.
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