Responsibility

Since we have now finished reading Oedipus Rex, I would like to go back to Tomas' article in The Unbearable Lightness of Being. Tomas claims that the Soviets should act responsibly like Oedipus, who gouges his eyes after realizing what he had done. When the Soviets do something wrong, they just say that it is a mistake. Their attitude is in stark contrast with that of Oedipus, who probably goes too far by choosing oedipism as self-punishment, but at least feels responsible for his actions and their effects on his family and the people of Thebes. Oedipus is a responsible man. With his power and position, he could have dismissed Creon's interpretation of the god's words from Delphi (Creon suggests that it is the murder of Laius that plagues Thebes, even though there is no direct reference to murder in the oracle, just "corruption"). And yes, he follows this interpretation initially because he does not know that the murderer is himself, but he does not need to reveal the truth to the public when he finally realizes what is going on. With Jocasta supporting him, he could have hid the truth, but instead, he tries to verify his beliefs by bringing the shepherd to the palace. He could have even blamed Apollo and his prophecy as a last resort, but he does not do that. I don't know, maybe the fact that he realizes that he married his mother and killed his father leads him to take responsibility and punish himself, but I still think the fact that he feels responsible for the people around him is significant because many of the Soviets do not feel guilt, as Tomas argues.