Oedipus the King

In Oedipus the King, by Sophocles, Oedipus is told from an oracle that was going to kill his father and marry his mother. Oedipus left Cornith, his home, to get away from this omen. In fact Oedipus did kill his biological father and marry his biological mother. After learning the truth, Oedipus punished himself by stabbing his eyes out and exiling himself from Thebes. The sentence for the crime of parricide and incest was fair. "I pray that that man's life be consumed in evil and wretchedness. And as for me, this curse applies no less," (1.31) Oedipus made this promise to the people of Thebes, reassuring them that the criminal would suffer the consequences even if he himself were the murder. When Oedipus was told by the many accountants that he fit the description of the murderer he was outraged. "Too long been blind to those for whom I was searching! From this hour, go in darkness!" (exodos.49) Oedipus said this as he stabbed his eyes, leaving himself blind. Oedipus' punishment fit his crime because his life as he knew it would never be the same. He now had to live with the guilt of murder and incest. "Drive me out of this country as quickly as may be To a place where no human voice can ever greet me." (exodos.207) Oedipus also exiled himself from Thebes. Not only leaving himself blind but with out family or friends. Oedipus chose an exile from Thebes to leave everything he knew and had. He also proved himself to the people of Thebes by showing them that he was a strong man for upholding his vow to punish the guilty man. Another reason Oedipus left the country was because he did not want his children to see him as a blind sinner. Oedipus' exile was fair because by doing this he lived with less guilt. He wouldn't think about what people thought of him after a few years. By not seeing him the people of Thebes would most likely forget of the wretchedness that had occurred...