Uniform chaos
Uniform chaosIn Sopohocles' tragedy "Oedipus the King", Oedipus proclaims " it was I who have pronounced these curses on myself" (Madden 37). With this announcement, Oedipus is aware that his pursuit for order has led to a life of chaos. The central thesis is that the presumption of order establishes physical, intellectual, and spiritual chaos. The text's reference to the sphinx, Oedipus, and Tiresias creates this notion. These three literal signifiers are the metaphoric symbolizers of physical, intellectual, and spiritual chaos.
The concept of physical chaos is first introduced during the first speech of the priest when reference is made to the "harsh singer" (Madden 37), the sphinx. In greek mythology, the sphinx is recognised as a hybrid creature with a woman's head, a lion's body, an eagle's wings, and a serpent's tail. In reality, "the virgin with the crooked talons" (Madden 48), is a unique archetype for many things in one single being. The sphinx is an epitome of destruction and chaos who establishes "the tax [they] had to pay [her]" (Madden 17) because she devourers all who fail to answer her riddle. Her domination of Thebes causes havoc and melancholic responses that are directly related to the degree of her physical chaos. The confrontation between Oedipus and the sphinx ends with the latter destroying herself, "the winged maiden came against him: he was seen then to be skilled" (Madden 29), due to Oedipus answering her riddle. By destroying herself, the sphinx makes it possible for the oracles to come true. With her reign of terror at an end, the sphinx makes it possible for Oedipus to continue with his life in pursuit of order. Chaos is established because of the opportunity for the prophecies to become an actuality. The physical appearance of the sphinx and her self-destruction foreshadow chaos for Oedipus in the near future.
As the sphinx is the measure of highest physical chaos, so Oedipus is a measure of utmost intellectual chaos. Oedipus, being the king of Thebes, portrays qualities that signify intelligence, fortitude, and freedom from doubt. Oedipus' intelligence is prominent upon knowledge of his ill faith; Oedipus, in his present state of mind, interprets the prophecies made to him literally. This course of action assists in the accomplishment of the oracles.
"[Phoebus] said [Oedipus] would be [his] mother's lover,
show offspring to mankind [that] they could not look at, and
be his [father's] murderer. When [Oedipus] heard...
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