Kristi Thng - Oedipus and His Happy Ending

In Oedipus Rex, the "happy ending" described by Fay Weldon is achieved through Oedipus blinding himself. Oedipus is considered a tragic hero only after he has blinded himself. Oedipus' inner struggle to exile himself, and the act of blinding himself contributes to the theme of accepting the fate the gods have planned for mortals. This spiritual reassessment also shows Oedipus' repentance for his sins, and his submission to the gods.

The servant says of Oedipus: "For he removed from her garment the golden brooches which she was wearing; he lifted them and struck the sockets of his own eyes." This quote from Oedipus Rex shows Oedipus' course of action after he realizes the follies he has committed. The act of blinding himself shows his means of retribution and repentance. Also, there is a hint of submission to the gods shown through the servant's words. He blinds himself because he recognizes he cannot escape his fate. In this way, the ending in which Oedipus blinds himself serves as the climax of the play as well as the supposed "happy ending."

After Oedipus discovers he is the murderer, Oedipus exclaims: "Or could I find pleasure in teh sight of my own children, born as they were born? Never! No pleasure there, for eyes of mine." This quote from Oedipus Rex shows Oedipus' psychological breakdown after accepting the devastating truth. Oedipus blinds himself as a means of reconciliation for marrying his mother and killing his father.

To amend the wrong he has caused and the suffering he has inflicted on his people, Oedipus asks Creon to exile him. Oedipus says to Creon, "Drive me at once beyond your bounds!" He pleads Creon to exile him as a form of repentance. Again, it is because Oedipus has acted the fate the gods have lain out for him, that Oedipus resigns himself to leading the life of an outcast. This act of acceptance and repentance shows that though Oedipus possesses the flaws of a tragic hero, he can also accept defeat, and attempts at solving his wrongdoings.

Oedipus suffers a terrible fate, and is also forced to right his wrongs. Though he loses his sight by blinding himself, Oedipus makes up for the follies he has created. Both the physical and psychological attempts at repentance show Oedipus' acceptance of his fate. Oedipus has gone through a personality overturn, which is the "happy ending" of Oedipus Rex.