Ignorance and Oedipus

Ignorance causes people to be unaware of the horrible violations of human rights that are happening all around them. Domestic violence is a very prominent issue in today's society, but it does not receive the publicity it deserves because people choose to be ignorant. The majority of the population is content with placing the blame on the victims as opposed to the abusers. People's choice of ignorance is evident because “When people hear that a woman is being abused, they say... “Why doesn't she just leave?” not “Why doesn't he just stop?”” (Weiss 21).  The general population chooses to blame the victim for not leaving the abusive relationship instead of empathizing with her.  However, since it is the abuser who is in control, it is very difficult for the victim to leave. Most people cannot comprehend how horrible abuse actually is if they have not experienced it themselves, so they do not understand why the victim is unable to escape. They cannot relate the despair and fear that plague the domestic violence victim. Oedipus was a noble ruler who was loved by many. He was set in his beliefs until he found out he had been lied to his whole life, living in ignorance because the very people who surrounded him never told him about his true biological parents. Oedipus' messenger chose to remain quiet and allow Oedipus to continue living in ignorance regarding his adoption. He thought that it would not hurt Oedipus, but Oedipus' ignorance led to his downfall. This relates to domestic violence because people simply do not understand the situation and therefore blame the victims instead of standing up for them. If bystanders do not say anything and choose to live in ignorance they are, in turn, harming the victim much more than helping. As human beings, people have a responsibility to stand up for what they believe is right and being ignorant contradicts that idea.

Sophocles. Oedipus Rex. 421. Web. 23 Sept. 2013.

Weiss, Ed.D, Elaine. Surviving Domestic Violence: Voices of Women Who Broke Free. Volcano, California: First Volcano Press, 2004. Print.