Oedipus is adamant that logic and reason are absolutes, and bases his entire life on them. But as the story progresses, it becomes clear that Oedipus’ obstinate mindset is limited. The principles do not save Oedipus but deteriorate over time and become ineffective when faced with the absurdity of life.
Oedipus, from the very beginning, is presented as a king who makes decisions based on logic. In the case of the plague, he states, “No one is more sick than I…My spirit groans in the name of the city, me and you.” Oedipus uses reason to anticipate people’s cries for help, and not just to be depressed. He sent Creon to Delphi oracle to find out the reason behind the plague. Oedipus’ confidence is high at this point. He confidently says, “”…I came myself to hear the people-I Oedipus. Who bears the famed name” (4). He has defeated another seemingly insurmountable problem before, the Sphinx.
Oedipus is therefore quick to ask Creon questions after he returns, almost as though he was trying to determine the solution on the spot. Oedipus learns the cause of the plague to be the unavenged king Laios’ murder. Oedipus then announces a desire to find his killer. Oedipus asks Teiresias if he can help him identify the killer. But when Teiresias reluctance to reveal the truth, Oedipus appeals to reason in an attempt to persuade Teiresias. Oedipus then cruelly states, “You had it planned, you’d had it done. He was all but murdered by you with your hands. If you could see, I’d have to say it was your crime and yours alone. Teiresias is finally prompted by this reasoning to speak up and accuse Oedipus of being the murderer of Laios.
We can see Oedipus lose control of his logic as he insults Teiresias, “You blind, witless and senseless old man!” (page 20). He accuses his brother-in law Creon, in a ridiculous way, of plotting against him. He assaults Creon. He uses logic and reason to cross-examine his brother-in law in an effort to accuse him of murder and treason, despite his apparent irrationality. Creon says that he does not want to be king. Oedipus replies, “But suppose you’re wrong.” Oedipus is no longer able to reason, and his selfishness has taken over, even when it comes to those closest.
Oedipus is alarmed when he hears Jocasta tell how Laios was killed at a crossing, recalling the time he had killed people at a similar crossroads. He says, “What net has God woven for me?” (39). Oedipus has almost lost his faith in the rational mind. He is now convinced that his own murder could have been the reason he had left Thebes. Jocasta reminisces that she had heard a prognosis that her child would kill his parents and marry their mothers, which causes Oedipus recalls prophecies of his own: that Oedipus was not his Father’s Son, and he would lie with his mother to produce children, from whom men would turn away, and I would be his murderer. It would have been simple to see the connection between these prophecies.
Oedipus desperately searches for a better explanation than what he is presented with. In his search, he finds an insignificant detail from which to draw a conclusion that he was not the murderer of his father. Jocasta stated that Laios has been murdered by many, but Oedipus was the only one to have done it. Jocasta tells the shepherd that there’s a witness who can determine if Laios is indeed dead or if it was just him. Oedipus is still admired by the audience for his use of reason in deciding to consult with the shepherd. Even so, we realize that reason can no longer help Oedipus. Everything depends on the words of the shepherd.
Oedipus’s and Jocasta’s madness is finally brought on by two things. First, Corinth sends a messenger to the palace of the king to announce his death. He tells Oedipus he was adopted. Jocasta then pleads to Oedipus that he stop his investigation. No rational man would be troubled by these things. (51). She then says “for God’s sake, stop asking questions!” Are you not interested in your own life? My pain is more than enough to sustain me.” (56). Oedipus then, desperately trying to clean his conscience in a last ditch effort, confronts the Shepherd, as Teiresias did and Creon too. Oedipus threatens direct violence on the Shepherd if it does not reveal the truth. In the end, Oedipus’s true parentage is revealed by the shepherd. Jocasta’s reaction is violent, as are Oedipus’s. Oedipus’ incestuous, patricidal nature is simply too much for them to accept. It is still the truth. Jocasta kills herself because she is so overwhelmed. Oedipus is said to have developed: by blinding him, he gives up his old obsessive, adamant belief in observation and logic alone. In the end, Oedipus becomes more open-minded and balanced.
Oedipus initially is a man who follows logic and uses deductive reasoning to solve problems. But he soon learns that irrationality must also be given equal weight. He was blinding his own eyes by ignoring everything irrational. He now realizes that the reasoning he had used was just a façade. For a moment, it may have seemed like he was right. Creon said it well: “…time will reveal the truth …” (32). It may take days, weeks, or even decades to uncover the truth. It will eventually come to light.