FREE ESSAY ON OEDIPUS AND SOCRATES

OEDIPUS AND SOCRATES

In Plato's Five Dialogues and Sophocles' Oedipus Rex, man's actions for the greater good
of the city-state can lead to horrible consequences for the individual. Both Socrates and
Oedipus carry out what they believe to be their duty for their city. Socrates believes
that his actions are just and proper, but when viewed by the city-state as a whole his
actions are looked at as counter-productive and ill advised to the youth of the society.
Oedipus on the other hand hasn't done anything to harm his people. Following his decision
making regarding the murder of his father, he ends up as an enemy of the state, because
he has become an enemy to himself. Both having to suffer the consequences for their
actions, they remain to uphold their loyalty to their respective city-states.
Being one of the greatest thinkers in history, Socrates tried to spread his wisdom by
supporting the greater good of the city-state, the youth. When questioning Meletus,
Socrates tries to justify his expansion of education by referring to horses. Do "all men
improve them and one individual corrupts them? Or is quite the contrary true, one
individual is able to improve them, or very few, namely horse breeders, whereas the
majority, if they have horses and use them, corrupt them?" (Plato 30). Is it possible for
one man to work and corrupt all the youth? Is it possible for one man to even reach all
of society's youth? It can clearly be established that the teachings of one man cannot
harm the city, but only make people greater.
There are even more examples of Socrates upholding his beliefs for nothing more then the
benefit of the city. While serving as a member of the Council, during the investigation
of the ten naval generals, Socrates was the only dissenting member "of the presiding
committee to oppose your [the council] doing something contrary to the laws" (Plato 36).
For acting in this licit manner he was ready to be prosecuted by the council and accept
his consequences.
It can easily be seen that Socrates was never looked at as an equal. To make matters only
worse, when tried by Meletus his belief in the gods was raised. Meletus brought up the
point that Socrates did not believe in gods at all. Although Socrates never completely
answers Meletus' question he does justify his beliefs. Socrates never directly states
that he believes in gods, but he does say that " he believes in divine beings" and "if
divine beings are gods" then he must believe in the gods themselves (Plato 32). 
Another point that Meletus failed to recognize is that Socrates belief in these divine
beings motivated his actions and teachings. For Socrates believed that his reason for
being put on this planet was to serve as an instrument of the gods and broaden the
understanding of knowledge. If indeed Socrates was corrupting the youth then "be sure
that this is what the god orders [him] to do" (Plato 35). Socrates had no choice in the
life he was leading, because "he was attached to the city by the god" and "there is no
greater blessing for the city than [his] service to the god" (Plato 35).
Following the decision to send Socrates to his death, he is not at all upset or surprised
at the 501-member jury's decision. Remaining calm in the manner that Socrates is so well
regarded, he is still able to pay respect for his city. While being visited in prison by
his "old and faithful friend, Crito" Crito proposes the possibility of Socrates' escape
from prison (Plato 45). Whether it would have been better for Socrates to escape or nor,
he raises the point "that one must obey the commands of one's city and country" thus
making the ultimate sacrifice to prove his obedience to the city's decision (Plato 53).
When being compared to Socrates, Oedipus' actions reflect the same dedication to the
state as was seen by those of Socrates. First of all while in the presence of "that
hellcat the Sphinx" Oedipus was the only person to rise above the rest and save the city.
No bird or even god stood in the way of the Sphinx, yet Oedipus was able to. By this
single act alone he shows all the homage and devotion to his city that one should even
need to. "Oedipus, the simple man, who knows nothing...thought it out for [him] self"
(Sophocles 21) and was able to avoid whatever lied ahead. 
Now being king Oedipus has many different roles to play. He is a leader and also a
companion to the citizens of his kingdom. Oedipus does not worry about the state in which
his citizens see him, since "it is for them [he] suffers, more than for [him] self"
(Sophocles 7). Oedipus tries to bury his own emotions and instead shows his empathy for
his citizens, but it is too much for him to control. "Poor children...I know that you are
deadly sick; and yet, sick as you are, not one is as sick as I. Each of you suffers in
himself alone his anguish, not another's; but my spirit groans for the city, for myself,
for you" (Sophocles 5). These actions of clemency display Oedipus' ability as a ruler to
care and relate with the masses.
Demonstrating his care for the masses and acting as a wise king would Oedipus focused on
the need for discovering a solution for the plague. Oedipus "sent Creon, son of
Menoikeus, brother of the Queen, to Delphi, Apollo's place of revelation, to learn there,
if he can, what act or pledge...may save the city" (Sophocles 6). Upon Creon's return,
Oedipus learns that "Apollo commands us...to take revenge upon whoever killed" our former
king Laios (Sophocles 8). With the penalties of death or exile established for the
murderer, Oedipus now knows the course of action that he needs to follow. 
While having a conversation with his wife Iocaste, Oedipus investigates the series of
events surrounding King Laios' death. As the conversation proceeds, more and more of the
details that only he would know become apparent. Oedipus has killed his own father and
now must suffer. "Citizens and alien alike must never shelter me or speak to me- I must
be shunned by all. And I myself pronounced this malediction upon myself" (Sophocles 42).
Oedipus now being the killer has to properly execute the sentence, thereby freeing the
citizenry of the plague that has been sent upon them by the gods. 
Similar to Socrates and Crito's conversation in Socrates' jail cell Iocaste pleads with
Oedipus to reconsider his decision. Reacting as Socrates did, Oedipus rejects the
suggestion to forego his punishment and has nothing more to say than "I will not listen;
the truth must be made known" (Sophocles 55). As his punishment is realized, Oedipus
understanding that his course of action has brought great shame to himself and his city,
decries "lead me away from Thebes" (Sophocles 70). Oedipus understands that in order to
protect the citizens and obey the laws of the city that this outcome must be realized.
"This punishment that I have laid upon myself is just" (Sophocles 71) thereby maintaining
the laws of the city higher than his own life.
It is certain now that in the cases of Socrates and Oedipus, their loyalty to their city
far surpassed that of their self-preservation or any hidden agenda. What have we learned
about these two men? Socrates is dead and Oedipus is a sightless exile, yet their
city-states remain strong in their determination to maintain the justice of society.