Oedipus and Theseus by Taha Hussein

"Oedipus and Theseus" by Taha Hussein

Between Taha Hussein and Myth

Dr. Taha Hussein, celebrated as the “Dean of Arabic Literature,” firmly believed that literature serves a cultural and civilizational role no less vital than its aesthetic function.

In his book Oedipus and Theseus: Heroes of Greek Mythology, Hussein does more than retell legendary tales from the Greek tradition.

He reinterprets them with cultural awareness, urging Arab readers to reflect on the shared human heritage of tragedy, morality, and existential questions—concerns that remain deeply relevant to modern life.

This book is part of Hussein’s larger enlightenment project. Though originally aimed at young readers and students, its educational, philosophical, and humanistic insights transcend age and speak to anyone seeking meaning in the dialogue between past and present.

I. Content — Oedipus and Theseus as Symbolic Figures

Oedipus: Humanity Confronts Fate

The tale of Oedipus begins with a haunting prophecy: he is destined to kill his father and marry his mother. In a desperate attempt to escape this fate, his parents abandon him as an infant. Yet every effort to resist destiny only brings it to fulfillment.

Oedipus unknowingly kills his father, then marries his mother. Upon discovering the truth, he blinds himself, punishing the crime he committed without conscious intent.

Through this story, Hussein presents the tragedy of the human condition: the tension between free will and destiny, reason and inevitability. Oedipus becomes a model of tragic heroism—not through physical strength, but through the moral courage to face his own errors and accept responsibility.

Theseus: The Hero Who Conquers Monsters and Builds Cities

In contrast, Theseus embodies a different kind of heroism. The son of King Aegeus, he grows up away from his father before returning to Athens after a series of adventures that reveal his bravery.

His most famous exploit is his battle with the Minotaur, the monstrous creature of Crete’s labyrinth that devoured Athenian youths. But Hussein emphasizes that Theseus was not merely a slayer of beasts: he also confronted corrupt political systems and helped lay the foundations of a just state.

Hussein thus portrays Theseus as a civic and political hero, representing collective will and the transformation of myth into a vision for social and political order.

II. Taha Hussein’s Intellectual Vision

Myth as a Mirror of Human Consciousness
For Hussein, myth is not a fanciful tale or mere folklore, but a symbolic text that meditates on existence, fate, and power. Oedipus embodies the eternal question: are we free, or bound by forces beyond our control? Theseus reflects the emergence of the city and political life—from chaos to order, tyranny to shared governance.
The Educational Role of Literature
Although directed at young audiences, the book avoids simplification. Hussein believed that exposing new generations to universal heritage—its virtues and vices, justice and injustice—helps cultivate a strong ethical and human conscience.
Implicit Civilizational Comparison
Without drawing explicit parallels, Hussein hints at the significance of the Greek mythic imagination as the seedbed of philosophy and drama. Retelling these stories becomes a subtle invitation for Arab readers to re-examine their own heritage and search for foundational moments of cultural rebirth.

III. The Artistic Construction of the Book

Narrative Style
Hussein’s prose is eloquent yet accessible, avoiding technical jargon while highlighting drama, tragedy, and suspense. His storytelling carries a poetic cadence, interspersed with pauses for reflection and questioning.
Dramatic Structure
The Oedipus story unfolds with classic tragic tension, gradually intensifying until the devastating revelation of truth. By contrast, Theseus’ tale is built as a sequence of adventures, each shaping his heroic character and destiny.
Dialogue and Inner Monologue
At key moments, Hussein introduces dialogue or gives voice to his characters’ inner thoughts, adding psychological and human depth to the myth.

IV. Philosophical and Human Themes

Fate and Freedom
Oedipus dramatizes humanity’s fragility before forces beyond our will. Yet, when he chooses to blind himself, he shifts from victim to agent, reclaiming full moral responsibility.
Courage in Facing the Self
For Hussein, Oedipus embodies an inner revolution. He does not flee from the truth but embraces its burden—a profound act of human dignity.
Political and Social Justice
Through Theseus, Hussein highlights the necessity of moving from disorder to order, tyranny to justice. True heroism lies not only in slaying monsters but in establishing the foundations of the city, citizenship, and fairness.

V. Impact on Arab Readers

Introducing global heritage in a way that is both accessible and profound.
Cultivating moral and intellectual awareness through stories filled with human struggle.
Restoring myth’s status as a vital cultural and educational tool, rather than dismissing it as mere folklore.

VI. From Myth to Renewal

Oedipus and Theseus is more than the retelling of two myths. It is an educational and intellectual project. Hussein sought to teach Arab readers how to interrogate their destiny, and to show that true heroism is rooted not in strength but in awareness and responsibility.

In Oedipus, we glimpse our existential anxieties. In Theseus, we find our aspirations for justice and renewal. Both remain alive—not just in ancient texts, but in our fears, our questions, and our hopes.

Through this work, Taha Hussein carries us from the realm of myth to the realm of humanity—fraught with fear, sustained by hope, and defined by the relentless search for truth.

For the original summary in Arabic