Arrogance in Oedipus and the Infernal Machine by Cocteau The myth of Oedipus dates back several centuries. Over time, a myth changes in many ways as each author or speaker presents their own version. The main plot generally remains intact, but the authors add their own style to the tragic story. In the case of Sophocles' Oedipus the King and Jean Cocteau's The Infernal Machine, both authors focus on Oedipus' arrogant nature. This quality ultimately having destructive powers, the relationships that Oedipus maintains with other characters demonstrate this arrogance. Although both authors depict Oedipus in different ways to emphasize their different themes, both use the relationship between Oedipus and Tiresias to demonstrate Oedipus' arrogant nature. In both plays, this arrogance manifests itself in Oedipus's rejection of the prophet Teiresias. However, the two playwrights differ greatly in the relationship between these two characters. Cocteau's Oedipus immediately disrespects Teiresias' prophecy. This rejection of Teiresias' prophecy and warnings emphasizes his theme of malevolent gods. Equivalently, in Sophocles' version of the myth, Teiresias' denial demonstrates the main theme of the destructive nature of arrogance. Instead of the gods holding him back, Oedipus' pride does not allow him to believe Tiresias. Oedipus believes himself to be above everything and everyone. Just like Cocteau, he even believes he can defy the gods and ignore destiny. In Sophocles' version of the myth, Teiresias' denial does not occur instantly. At first, Oedipus regards the prophet Teiresias appropriately and respectfully. Oedipus greets him by exclaiming: "My lord, in you alone we find a champion, in you alone the one who can save...... middle of paper ......uture. They provide him with numerous clues regarding the impending catastrophe hovering in the atmosphere. However, Oedipus' arrogance blinds him to the truth of his situation and leads to his ultimate demise. Works cited and consulted Abrams, MH A Glossary of Literary Terms, 7th ed. Publishers, 1999. Benardete, Seth “Oedipus Tyrannus of Sophocles”. In Sophocles: A Collection of Critical Essays, edited by Thomas Woodard Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1966. Cocteau, Jean (1963). Bermal, Trans.) New York: New Directions Publishing Corporation. Nagle, Brendan D. The Ancient World: A Cultural and Social History: Prentice-Hall, 1979. Sophocles (1991). (G. David, Trans.) Chicago: University of Chicago Press.