In
Oedipus the King, feet symbolize
Oedipus’ and his parent’s bondage to their destiny. Since he was born, all of
their lives are paved out by two simple prophecies that Apollo bestowed upon
them. It was forecasted that Laius and Jacosta’s son “was doomed to kill [his
father]” (945). Binding his feet at three days old left Oedipus with a
permanent scar on his foot. This scar is a literal symbol for the suffering he
endures while his ankles are bound, but this is also a metaphor that he will be
scarred throughout his lifetime. This scar is given through a prophecy that he
is “fated to couple with [his] mother” and “kill [his] father” (873, 875).
Every attempt to stop destiny is futile. This signifies that no matter how much
effort the mortals put in to attempt to fight prophecies, there is no way to
combat the power of the gods. Despite this bondage, Oedipus did have the
freedom to find out or not find out the truth about who killed Laius. During this discovery process, he figuratively tread on others such as Creon, the Prophet, the Shepard with threats, thus adding to the feet symbolism. His feet also
serve as a metaphor for his work as a king. Oedipus translates into “swollen
feet.” He spends time traveling and when he arrives in Thebes, he brings the
citizens out of devastating times. It is also acknowledged that he is a quick
thinker and takes steps in order to better his kingdom, no matter what the
cost. Although his feet most recognizably enable him to realize the truth of
his bondage, they can also prove that he is a good king who helps his people. He
is just unfortunate enough to be bestowed with the wrath of Apollo.
Going off of your last few sentences about Oedipus being a well-respected person and leader, it is very strange to me that there never seems to be any motive for the Gods to predetermine his life so brutally. I think that because we are never given a reason why Apollo specifically targets Oedipus, there is both an added emphasis on the tragedy of the play and the fickleness of the Gods.
ReplyDeleteI like your point about Oedipus treading on the other people. I feel like it gets flipped later, and the world treads on Oedipus; as Tiresias said he insulted him in the way that he would soon be insulted. This accentuates Oedipus' pain as all his worst suspicions come true.
ReplyDeleteI like Jordan's point about Apollo's lack of motive, but I don't really understand how Apollo's wrath with Oedipus has anything to do with his feet. Is Apollo wrathful because of his feet or for some other reason determined before his birth?
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