Discuss Medea and Oedipus in terms of self-destruction.

I think that both characters are constructed with a
definite tinge of self- destruction.  Oedipus' relentless pursuit of the truth and the
discarding of those who speak otherwise to him in his best interests would be
representative of how his destruction is wrought by his own hands.  Medea's willingness
to destroy Jason is one that knows no boundaries, even towards herself.  While both
forms of destruction are evident, I see them a bit different.  On one hand, I think that
Oedipus' self- destruction is less deliberate.  His pursuit of truth and his need to
alleviate the pain of his citizens guides him, and while he dismisses Tiresias and his
wife's insight, for example, I don't think that Oedipus expects that he is going to be
so destroyed by the truth.  Medea has no illusions about her own vengeance.  As she
carries on with her plan and as both Jason and the Chorus tell her that her path is
going to bring her as much pain as anything else, she does not seem to care.  Medea
seems to willingly embrace what is going to happen and her own destruction seems to be
secondary to the hurt inflicted on Jason.