Blog 8: Ignorance, Bliss, and Knowledge in Oedipus the King and The Matrix.

Ignorance is one of the major concepts in both Oedipus the King and The Matrix because of the prophecies that the two stories tell. “Ignorance is bliss” is one line that could sum up both stories because of how the characters do not know what is real or not. Oedipus is very knowledgeable but is also very ignorant because he cannot realize what he has done before. He does not realize that he has married his mother and killed his father. This led to Oedipus ripping his eyes out and forever knowing the truth. This shows that knowing the truth can be more harmful than not knowing. As for the Matrix, the quote “Ignorance is bliss” is stated in the movie because Cypher wanted out of the Matrix and to have a rich lifestyle even if he had no recollection of what has happened. Also, when Neo is giving the decision to either take the blue pill or the red pill, he is left with a series of choices. By taking the red pill, he would wake up in a world that is different from his own. By taking the blue pill, he wakes up with the world exactly as he knows it, continuing his life without having to change his beliefs or his actions. This would change Neo’s life forever because he would gain so much more knowledge. Both stories provide a character that is an Oracle that provides prophecies for the main characters and allows them to let them believe what they want.