In what way does Jocasta's pride affect her life ?

When one thinks
of ' (the Greek title is Tyrannos), one usually
hears questions raised about Oedipus' pride. This question, however, wonders about the pride of
Oedipus' mother/wife,(also spelled Iocasta).

I would say that it is somewhat
mistaken to talk of Jocasta as a person having pride. At one point late in the play, Oedipus
thinks that it is possible that he will be discovered as being the child of parents who lack
nobility. Jocasta, who at this point now realizes that Oedipus is about to discover his true
identity, begs Oedipus to end his investigation.

Oedipus presses on, however,
and he thinks that Jocasta does not want him to inquire further into the matter because Jocasta
is worried that Oedipus will find out that his real parents were slaves. Oedipus tells Jocasta
that even if he is found out to be of humble origin, "you will still have your noble
lineage" (Ian Johnston translation). Twice, between lines 1070 and 1080, Oedipus suggests
that Jocasta's concerns are due to the pride in her noble heritage.

Oedipus'
assessment of Jocasta's pride is mistaken, however. It is not her pride, per
se, about which Jocasta is worried, but rather the fear that Oedipus will find out
his true identity. Once Jocasta realizes that Oedipus is on the verge of discovering his true
identity, Jocasta rushes out and hangs herself.

Some sense of pride may be at
work here, as Jocasta cannot allow herself to live to witness Oedipus' discovery of the truth;
but pride is not an issue that Sophocles highlights with respect to Jocasta, except the mistaken
pride that Oedipus imagines she has when she begs him to stop trying to find out who he really
is.