Beginning of Essay
Oedipus, the tragic hero of Sophocles’ play of the same name, is a conscientious and compassionate leader unfairly victimized by fate and the gods. When his city of Thebes is beset by plagues, barrenness, and starvation, he, as king, immediately seeks remedies ....

Middle of Essay
.... misery, on the contrary he is more concerned with the impact on his people. Long before we come into the story, Oepidus “sent Menoeceus’ son Creon, Jocasta’s brother, to Apollo, to his Pythian temple, so that he might learn there by what act or word [Oedipus] could save [his] city.” (60-73) Upon returning, Creon brings with him encouraging news that saving Thebes is a simple task of finding and driving out Laius’ murderer or murderers. At once Oedipus begins this task with these words to his people: “I forbid any to welcome him or cry him greeting or make him a sharer in sacrifice or offering to the Cods, or give him water for his hands ....