Ignorance in Oedipus Rex The toll of ignorance and deception on Oedipus Rex

Ignorance plays a major role in the fates of several characters in the Greek tragedy Oedipus Rex. In the play, ignorance is not only contained to the characters and their backgrounds, such as Oedipus and Jocasta, but also to the former Theban king, Laius. Because of their complex relationship with each other, and the lies that Laius told Jocasta, the truth about the relationship between Oedipus, Jocasta, and Laius remains a mystery until a messenger informs Oedipus of how he truly killed his father and assumed the throne in his place. Oedipus' and Jocasta's ignorance of their true relationship prior to becoming king and queen of Thebes was caused by Laius' ignorance of destiny and his (failed) attempt to defy a prophecy.

In the play, many, if not all, the tragedies that befall Thebes and the Theban throne are a result of Laius attempting to defy his destiny which entailed being murdered by his son who would, in turn, marry the widowed queen and his mother, and have children with her. In an attempt to prevent this from coming...

Because Laius had lied to Jocasta and told her that their son had died during childbirth, or shortly thereafter, and he believed that Oedipus had died due to exposure, Laius foolishly believed that he had escaped his fate. However, Oedipus was rescued by a shepherd and given to King Polybus and Queen Merope of Corinth who were not able to have children themselves and became the only parents that Oedipus ever knew.
Oedipus' ascension to the throne was applauded as he came to this power of position after having defeated the Sphinx that had long terrorized Thebes. However, this period of rejoicing was short-lived and Thebes was soon plagued with sickness and barrenness. In order to overcome this disease, Oedipus has to find out who killed King Laius and bring them to justice. Oedipus takes the position of being "stranger to the story/and stranger to the crime/being too late [Thebes'] latest citizen" (Sophocles, n.d., p. 14). What Oedipus does not realize is that he played a major role in the story and he is…