Seafaring Imagery In Oedipus The King
Sophocles often uses seafaring symbols in Oedipus King to create new perspectives on its characters. Oedipus is the story of an unfaithful king who was the ruler of a people that needed spiritual salvation. Oedipus becomes a wretched man after his horrendous marriage with his mom is revealed. However, the city is saved. Themes of spiritual decay are revealed in Sophocles’ Oedipus The king, as Thebes becomes a ship with Oedipus acting as its helmsman.
Sophocles sets up the metaphor that Thebes is a vessel early in his play. The once stable city is now plagued by chaos and near destruction. Oedipus begins by being told that he has seen his city, which is reeling in the waves of blood, already. Sophocles describes Thebes’ spiritual bankruptcy. Thebes’ ship is structurally weak and could sink. Sophocles describes Thebes as follows: “Our sorrows are beyond number; all the ship’s wood is rotten. / Taking of thought is not a spear to drive away the plague.” The vessel’s spiritual foundation weakens twice, at first by Oedipus’ hands and later by Jocasta’s. Oedipus confronts Teiresias with riddles to discover the identity of Laius’ murderer. This angers Oedipus. As the argument heats up, Teiresias lashes out: “[The truth] is no use to you because your mind, ears and eyes are all blind.” The king rejects the old man’s knowledge of the future. Oedipus insults Teiresias and the gods as a result, because blind Teiresias has the unique ability to read the past. Jocasta is also responsible for Thebes becoming spiritually void by denying that prophets can speak for the Gods.
Why should a man be afraid when he knows that he cannot foresee anything? You should live as light and carelessly as possible. Do not be afraid of your mother’s wedding bed. In dreams, oracles and even in reality, many men have slept with their own mothers. Whoever thinks that such things don’t matter, will find it easier to live.
Oedipus, Jocasta and the rest of Thebes’ spirituality rejecting citizens are a reflection of the same emptiness that pervades throughout all cities. Thebes is to continue suffering until Oedipus atones for his transgressions.
Oedipus’ insult of Teiresias exposes Oedipus’ fundamental flaw: his arrogance and blindness, which, when viewed from Teiresias’ perspective, are ironic. This will lead to his discovery and eventual downfall. Oedipus’ refusal to accept opinions that are different from his own as well as his denial of who he really is, which becomes more and more evident in light of new evidences, gradually reduces the authority of Oedipus, captain of Thebes. The story of Laius’s death is interwoven into Oedipus’ own personal history. This causes the confidence in Oedipus to diminish. It is not long before the coincidences, like the story of Jocasta tying her sons’ feet to that of Oedipus, become proofs. Oedipus had fulfilled the prophecy when he killed his father slept with his mom. The leap between funny coincidences and irrefutable proofs is not very large. Perceptive audiences will reach this conclusion much sooner than Oedipus. The captain of a vessel cannot lead it if the passengers don’t believe in him. This incompetent and weaker Oedipus contrasts with the confident and capable man that ruled the town at the beginning of the play. The priest tells Oedipus that if he wants to rule the land as he does now, it is better for him to do so with a full house of people than one empty. The play’s chorus is never removed from the stage, so Oedipus remains surrounded by the people who are his subjects. The ship in Thebes has lost its helmsman as Oedipus discovers his mother’s nature and begins to become a wretched.
Oedipus is blind, which conjures up images of an unreliable ship, with a captain who refuses use the stars as navigation. Oedipus lost control in stark contrast to his powerful image from the opening lines. No more. The gods and fate have the final say. Oedipus cannot save Thebes because the gods will not allow it. The metaphor of Thebes being held hostage by a storm is a theme that runs through Oedipus The King. Oedipus tried to escape his fate but was punished for it.
The seafaring theme is repeated throughout Sophocles’ Oedipus The king, most notably when Oedipus becomes the helmsman for Thebes. The imagery highlights themes of spiritual decay and Oedipus’ blindness as well as his arrogance. The seafaring perspective and the conclusion of the play can be reconciled to interpret Oedipus’ blindness as a repair or rescue. The plague is lifted and strength is built in the “timbers” of Thebes as the city returns into harmony with gods. Oedipus is now blind, but he can see the truth. The gods are satisfied and Thebes is safe again.
