Hypocrisy is the act of someone openly preferring a particular moral or behavioral standard while not following it himself. I chose this question because hypocrisy is a common subject or action seen within literature, often leading to future issues for a character when expressed. It applies to ancient literature, contemporary pieces, and even in current events as they occur now. Individuals often don’t even realize their hypocrisy in their own lives, both in literature and in reality, and it can lead to their demise. Many a problem has been caused by a person’s hypocrisy within novels and prose. In those cases where it goes unnoticed, hypocrisy is almost impossible to avoid or contain.
Oedipus in Oedipus Rex shows hypocrisy when he refuses to give equal weight to the different advice and truth he is told. He quickly believes the words of Creon when he states that they must find the killer of Laius, then accuses Creon of trying to undermine him with the words of the blind prophet. He attempts to completely nullify the words of the well trusted prophet Teiresias for offending him. Jocasta at one point easily calms him with her words, at another point Oedipus ignores her and everyone before her to seek out the shepherd that only solidifies the bad news he’s already heard. He puts very little stock in the words of others, choosing to consider some advice while allowing others word to bounce off of him and not affect him. This hypocrisy leads to his demise as he only chooses to listen to some people, partially because he believes they are trying to sabotage his position as king. His curiosity over the events foretold to him make it nearly impossible to evade as he loses trust in those around him and becomes more horrified with his own origin and actions.
