Oedipus philosopher, innocent responsible

Abstract

In his two Oedipian tragedies (Oedipus Tyrannus and Oedipus Colonneus) Sophocles presents a complex portrait of human and political condition where we can think responsibility, will and guilt in their legal, philosophical and religious meanings. This article first contextualizes the tragic document and the history of the individual and Athenian law, then it analyzes of the case of Oedipus, especially by commenting his defense, as published in Oedipus Colonneus. Finally, both the pious attitude of the author, Sophocles, as well as the ambivalences of the human condition mimetized in the dramas, are pointed out.

Key words: Oedipus, individual, responsibility, will, classical law.