19631020 (ll)
Journal: October 20, 1963
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Human Nature

English Paper, written during high school as a senior in Larry Horney's English class.
Scott Sinnock October 20, 1963
English 41CH

CHARACTER AND INCIDENT

Behind any action there is always an individual or group of individuals responsible for that action. The individual responsible for an action must have motivation and the motive is usually a previous action which necessitates a reaction. Depending on his character each individual reacts differently to the same situation or similar situations. Each person, having peculiar qualities which make up his character, uses his unique mind and character to consider and react to any previous action. Actions are not dependent upon the situation because it is unmitigated but rather upon character which varies from individual to individual. Thus action is dependent upon character.

In Sophocles great tragedy, Oedipus Rex, a revelation of facts instigates a reaction from the characters. Each character in the play reacts differently when it is revealed that Oedipus killed his father and married his mother. Oedipus throughout the tragedy sought truth. As the play progressed it became evident to Oedipus that the truth he was sacking might destroy him, but nevertheless he continued his probe. He was willing to accept any agony of mind which might befall him. When the truth was found and he learned that he had slain his father and wed his own mother, he accepted his fate and punished himself by putting out his own eyes, He was able to continue living though and face the world in spite of his ignominy. His character forced him to seek truth and accept it as part of life, whether truth would be harmful or beneficial to him.

Opposing Oedipus's search for truth was Jocasta, his mother and wife. She feared truth and tried to dissuade Oedipus in his search for truth. She was not willing to accept the results and shame that the discovery of truth might bring. She committed suicide when she learned of the tragic happening of her son and husband: Not being able to accept her fate and fate of the world, she hung herself.

Consequently it can be seen in Oedipus Rex how the characters of different individuals determine their actions in relation to the same situation. One was strong enough to accept fate and ignominy and the other was not. The incident show how these two people thought in relation to self-sacrifice and truth and which was more important.

"Character determines incident;
  Incident illustrates character."