Laius escapes the pain and dies early to introduce the idea that ignorance is bliss, which Sophocles returns to throughout his writings. Jocasta avoids reality by killing herself before actually having proof that Oedipus is her son. As Oedipus relentlessly tries to find Laius' murderer, his reality ruins any attempt to lead a normal life, and he blinds himself to avoid excessive misery. Jocasta and Oedipus take away their concepts of knowledge to ease their pain, even if it means taking violent measures to destroy their