Sophocles Oedipus is a perfect model of the human potential to achieve godlike greatness despite his tragic downfall. Before his fate is revealed, pride, impiety, and ignorance bring his own nemesis, yet because of the remarkable intelligence, courage, and leadership skills he displays in dealing with calamity Oedipus ultimately reveals how one’s spirit can become godlike. Before the opening scene, Oedipus’s hubris and impiety have already led him toward self-destruction.
He commits both patricide and regicide on the crossroads because of his lack of respect for those in power, and because he is very prideful. He sees “the old man” coming up along his wheels? but does not waver to let him by. Instead he ignorantly “kill[s] them all” every mother’s son!? even despite the oracles prophesy (621). Also, he impudently belittles the gods by claiming his intelligence alone freed the people from the sphinx “With no help from the birds” (606). By contemptuously announcing “You pray to the gods Let me grant your prayers,” Oedipus implies he feels superlative to the Gods, which sets him up for doom (606). Because Oedipus tests his human powers.
