Oedipus Rex- Scene 3/Ode 3

Summary: Iokaste gives a sacrifice to Apollo. A messenger then comes in and tells her how Oedipus's father, Polybus, has died. He has died from old age. Oedipus is then very happy because the man he feared he would kill has now died of natural causes. He is still concerned though because his mother is still living. The messenger then asks Oedipus why he would be scared of his mother Merope. The messenger then goes on to say that Merope and Polybus are not his real parents. The messenger says how he gave Polybus Oedipus. The messenger had saved Oedipus because Oedipus's ankles were pinned together. The messenger says how one of Laios's men gave him Oedipus. They then have to wait for the shepherd that was already sent for. Iokatse begs Oedipus not to inquire about his real parents, but he insists that he must. Oedipus thinks she doesn't want to know because his parents may have been poor, but she knows the truth. Iokaste then leaves very angrily. The chorus then sings to place where Oedipus was found. They also wonder if a god or goddess could have given birth to Oedipus.

Response: Iokaste just wants to live in ignorance. It seems sick. Would she have still slept with Oedipus afterward if he had never found out? Why would she not want him to know the truth? Maybe she thought that if she was the only one that knew the truth then it wouldn't be that bad. She is trying to protect Oedipus and her family, but it was probably in the best for them to find out the truth instead of their whole lives being a lie. It is sad how Iokaste was willing to sacrifice her child for her husband. Mothers usually love their children very much and would not have them killed. You think that would cause Oedipus even more turmoil to find out that his mother was willing to have him killed rather than to have her husband die. It is odd how Iokaste and Oedipus tried to trick fate. They should have realized that fate is fate. You can't change it. By trying to change it, you are just fulfilling it. Oedipus also stereotypes Iokaste. He thinks that she does not want to know who his real parents are because he was born poor or in a low class. He thinks that all she thinks about are wealth and positions and that she would not love him or like him anymore if he were poor, but in reality Iokaste didn't want him to know because she was trying to protect him from his wrongdoings and mistakes.