It is a well-known fact of life that even the most accomplished people can feel insecure. They doubt themselves and, in some cases, constantly need support and reassurance that they are the great people everyone perceives them to be. Written by Sophocles, Oedipus Rex explores the deep insecurities of its main character, King Oedipus, as he searches for the murderer of King Laios. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay The play begins after Oedipus has already been crowned king. His great achievement in the conquest of the Sphinx has already been relegated to the distant past. Despite the obvious wealth and position that Oedipus has acquired, he maintains an inner state of extreme emotional insecurity and panics at the thought of losing everything he has fought so hard to gain – his very position as king. Oedipus reveals this fear when he attacks Creon for bringing him a blind seer who divulges what Oedipus considers to be more false prophecies: Oedipus: "Do you think that I do not know, that you have plotted to kill me, plotted to steal my throne? Tell me. , in the name of God: am I a coward, a fool, that you dream of being able to accomplish this? A fool who couldn't see your slippery game? A coward, for not fighting back when I saw him? » » (Sophocles 51). Instead of looking at the situation calmly and rationally, Oedipus selfishly places the blame on Creon, his own brother-in-law. He insults Kreon by hurling sinister and violent words at him, including "plotted", "kill", and "steal". These nasty accusations show the audience the level of outrage and emotional turmoil Oedipus is going through at this time. His feelings are hurt and his reaction is immediate and childish. Oedipus retaliates without thinking about the consequences of his actions and breaks off a close relationship with one of his most trusted family members. Kreon protests his innocence, but Oedipus is so hurt and insecure that he banishes Kreon. But, looking more closely at the hurtful words cited above, Oedipus' insecurities are revealed; he can't help but fear that everyone might consider him a coward and a fool. New York Times reporter Sarah Boxer clarifies this idea by explaining in more detail. She states: “Oedipus is not a man to be pitied for his unconscious crimes and guilt, but a man who has never understood the true crimes of his own history” (Boxer 1). This is an interesting statement, given that Oedipus seems so surprised each time a new discovery (regarding the murder) is made in the play. As is later revealed, Oedipus shows no remorse when he tells his wife that he killed several men while traveling to another city, suggesting that he was not capable of remorse. at the start. This appears to be evidence of the emergence of a pathological and dangerous personality. Having now lost Creon, Oedipus continues in his unstable emotional state, as he searches for the murderer of King Laios. Having revealed his fear of being seen as weak, Oedipus must compensate by proving his courage and power to the people by actively searching for the killer. Oedipus boasts to the inhabitants of his country: “Sick like you, no one is sick like me. Each of you suffers alone, but my spirit groans for the city” (Sophocles 44). As people seek help from the powerful king to destroy the plague, Oedipus, unable to escape his personal feelings, must take charge of the situation. Instead of focusing on the needs of his people, the king claims that he is "sicker" than the afflicted and that he "suffers.