One's true identity lies deep within, buried so that only those willing to seek can find it. Oedipus the King by Sophocles and Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse tell the story of people looking for Self. Both Oedipus and Siddhartha find their identities, but with different results; Siddhartha's life is enhanced by discovering his identity while Oedipus' life is thrown into peril. Though these two men search with equal determination, the way they obtain information and the way they react to that information is extremely different.
Oedipus' determination is first demonstrated when he is given the task of discovering the person who killed the previous king. “I will bring it all to light. . . . Now you will have me on your side, as is only right. . . . I shall leave nothing undone” (Sophocles 10). Oedipus discovers clues that lead him to believe he has something to do with the murder. Jocasta tries to dissuade him from continuing the search but Oedipus is adamant. “Give up the search? Fail to solve the mystery of my birth? Never!” (Sophocles 77). Oedipus' determination continues throughout the novel until he finally discovers the truth.
Siddhartha also pursues his identity, though his search takes many more years than that of Oedipus. Siddhartha believes that “to press towards the Self, towards Atman,” is the only way “worth seeking” (Hesse 6). Siddhartha incessantly moves from one place to another - from one supposed identity to another - constantly searching for the man he is within these groups. After being a Brahmin's son and a Samana, Siddhartha hears the teachings of Buddha and finally realizes that his identity cannot be found within someone else, or by using someone else's method. He then leaves his friends and teachers to discover his identity on his own. “He [Buddha] has robbed me, yet he has given me something of greater value. He has robbed me of my friend. . . . But he has given to me Siddhartha. . .” (Hesse 36). Siddhartha realizes at this point that he cannot follow the teaching of others any longer. He needs to discover who he is for himself, without others telling him how to do so.
One main difference between Oedipus' search and Siddhartha's is that Oedipus relies on others to bring him information, while Siddhartha attempts to learn from himself alone. Oedipus receives his information from prophets and messengers, then deduces the facts himself. A Corinthian messenger brings him the information that his supposed father, Polybus, is dead. He then continues asking questions until the messenger finally tells him “[Polybus] was as much your father as I” (Sophocles 72). Oedipus uses the information others bring him to realize his true identity.
In contrast, Siddhartha leaves his teachers and friend, Govinda, behind and goes to search for his identity on his own. Siddhartha asks “what [is] it [teachers] cannot teach you?” (Hesse 38). The answer is self - identity. One must learn that concept on his or her own. Siddhartha attempts many different ways of finding himself. As he tells Govinda, “the wheel of appearances revolves quickly. . . . Where is Siddhartha the Brahmin, where is Siddhartha the Samana, where is Siddhartha the rich man?” (Hesse 94). Siddhartha undertakes all these different personas before he finds who he really is.
While Siddhartha embraces all the struggles he comes across, Oedipus, upon learning that the prophecy came true, simply accepts what he has become. “O God! It has all come true. . . . I stand revealed - born in shame, married in shame, an unnatural murderer” (Sophocles 89). Oedipus decides that because the prophecy has come true, he does not deserve to be treated as a normal person. He has brought shame upon himself. Even so, Oedipus could have chosen to learn from his experience and make himself a better person because of it.
Siddhartha learns from many his experiments finding himself. He gathers the knowledge gained and applies it to his life until he discovers who he wants to be. “I had to experience despair. I had to sink to the great mental depths, to thoughts of suicide, in order to experience grace. . . .” (Hesse 97). Siddhartha realizes that all things happen for a reason, and that he should learn from those experiences. Oedipus simply allows the consequences of the prophecy to control his future.
Both Oedipus and Siddhartha search for their inner selves. But both men react differently. When Oedipus discovers that the prophecy has been fulfilled, he reacts by gouging out his eyes. He bases his actions on the outcomes of the prophecy. Siddhartha, on the other hand, uses all his life experiences to dictate who he becomes. Both Siddhartha and Oedipus find their true inner Self, but they are most different in the use of that knowledge.
