Today I read an interesting story by a Greek writer named Sophocles. The Greek mythology book is called Oedipus the Rex; Oedipus is considered a tragic hero of Greek mythology because of the events that occur in his life. The story introduces Freud’s theory of the Oedipus Complex. In Greek, tragedy plays were crucial to learn morals and lessons. The book focuses on hubris – excessive pride and the adverse impact that it has on one’s living style.

King Laius is the ruler of Thebes and his wife, Queen Jocasta, gives birth to a son. Having been childless, he consults the oracle Apollo and is told that his son will grow up and kill him and marry Queen Jocasta. In anger, he decides his only option is to kill his son and leave him on top of the mountains to die. Unaware that his son in not dead, Oedipus ends up being adopted by the Queen and King of Corinth. Later on, the Oracle reveals to Oedipus that he will kill his father and marry his mother not knowing that he is adopted. To avoid this tragedy, he decides to leave Polybus and crosses paths with King Laius, unaware that it is his father, and kills him. Later on, unaware that Jocasta is his mother, he ends marrying her and conceives four children. Upon realizing that Oedipus is her son, she commits suicide overwhelmed with the guilt of her husband’s death. She killed herself, just like her son killed her husband.

I believe that the moral of the story is that sometimes one has to let fate happen and won’t be able to prevent what is destined for them. Many people tend to feel like they can avoid what is intended for them. I learned that in the future I shouldn’t be too prideful in any situation because it might not be a good thing. Excessive pride can make one unaware of their faults. Some people tend to feel overconfident that they have control over their lives, but in reality, nothing is guaranteed. Sometimes pride can be a mixed blessing. Are you guilty of having too much pride?