In Oedipus the King, feet indicate Oedipus’ inability to overcome a
fate ordained by the gods. Fittingly, feet—which root human beings to the earth—serve
as Sophocles’ mechanism for expressing Oedipus’ inescapable bondage to a divine
destiny. From birth, feet already
represent Oedipus’ lack of control. Just look at the meaning of his name: “swollen
feet” (really cute name for a baby by the way, Jocasta and Laius). Oedipus possesses
absolutely no choice in this key component of his identity—even before existence,
Oedipus is pre-ordained to become Oedipus, or “swollen feet.” The binding of
Oedipus’ ankles by his father serves as a physical representation of Oedipus’
linkage to a pre-destined life in which he ultimately cannot act against his
future. Every step Oedipus takes from here on out fulfills another step of his
prophecy. In the moment Oedipus curses the murderer of Laius (unwittingly
cursing himself,),he declares that the man should “drag out his life in agony,
step by painful step” (283). Feet stuck to the earth, and fate stuck to the
will of the gods, Oedipus must live his life out in pain. Oedipus’ final act in
the play, his self-exile, ironically demonstrates that no matter how hard he
tries to move his feet away from the prophecies, he nevertheless fulfills
something that was bound to happen anyway.
Afterword: Feet imagery makes me uncomfortable.
I agree that Oedipus is bound to his prophecy entirely as you said. The ironic thing though is when he was unaware that he was Laius' killer, he promised to kill the man that killed Thebes' previous king. When he does find out it was him, he blinds himself instead. He may be bound to Apollo's prophecy, but its interesting to see how we seem to change our minds or undo promises when the circumstances are turned upon us; in these cases we have just the right amount of freedom to decide our fate.
ReplyDeleteInteresting how you point out that he is perpetually reminded of his feet. Not only by the curse, but also because he is scarred completely by his feet being bound in the crib. Why then do you think he chooses to wander aimlessly in the countryside instead of being sentenced to death? Does he WANT a perpetual reminder of the evil deeds he was meant to commit?
ReplyDeleteI find it very interesting how you connect Oedipus' physical progress to the progress of his prophecy. His feet physically carry him back to Thebes just as much as his prophecy carries him back to Thebes in a more ethereal sense.
ReplyDeleteP.S. other parts of this play make me more uncomfortable than the foot imagery.
Definitely appreciate your sense of humor, especially with some rather chilling imagery and ideas!
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting how you mention the inescapability of his feet. I thought the feet definitely represented an element of that but also his reservations about accepting his fate. If anything his determination not to.