I did not know what I was doing
Oedipus is feared by everyone because of his actions and his name made the others fear him even before they knew him. However, a common motif is the idea that Oedipus did not knew what he was doing. Oedipus himself admitted that he should not be criticized so harshly for something he had done in the past and for a sin he did not commit knowingly.
Wise man
Another common motif is the idea that Theseus is a wise ruler. While the people from Athens tried to make Oedipus go away, as far as possible form their city, King Theseus admitted that he needed Oedipus’s help and agreed with the conditions he put to help them. This proves that for Theseus, the fate of his Kingdom was more important than some rituals the common people tried to convince him to obey by.
A place to be buried in
Another common motif is the idea that Oedipus wanted to have a suitable place to be buried in. Because he committed patricide and because he married his own mother, Oedipus was not allowed to be buried inside the city because he was considered as being an outcast because of his actions. Oedipus did not wanted to be reminded as a person who killed his father and thus he considered that by being buried inside the city, in a place where the ones who were praised were buried. Thus, Oedipus mentioned his desire to be buried in a place he considered as being suitable numerous times during the play.
Protector of the weak
One of the common motifs found in the play is the idea that Athens is an important and unique city. It is pointed out that Athens is the protector of the weak, a place where everyone can find sanctuary and protection. Thus, it is no wonder why Oedipus felt that he will be safe in Athens.
The reason behind his actions
When the King of Thebes asks Creon why he believed he had the right to take Oedipus and his daughters, he confessed that he believed that no one will want to stand by Oedipus’s side, especially when thinking about what he had done. Because of Oedipus’s past actions, Creon believed that he had the right to act in whatever manner he saw fit and he continued to admit that what he did was not wrong. Creon’s attitude can be considered as being a common motif since it appears early in the play and is mentioned whenever Creon appears on stage.
