Oedipus and the Tragic Prophecy

The Birth of Oedipus

• Oedipus was born to the king and queen of a prestigious Greek kingdom.
• A prophecy foretold that Oedipus would cause the death of his father and the ruin of his family.
• The king decided to abandon Oedipus on Mount Sitheron to prevent the prophecy.
• A servant spared Oedipus, giving him to a shepherd who named him Oedipus, meaning "swollen feet."
• The shepherd delivered Oedipus to the childless King Polybus of Corinth, who adopted him.

Oedipus's Early Life

• Oedipus grew strong, beautiful, and smart, living happily as the Crown Prince of Corinth.
• At a celebration, a nobleman insulted Oedipus, claiming he wasn't the true heir.
• Oedipus sought the truth from the Oracle of Delphi, who predicted he would kill his father and marry his mother.
• Distressed, Oedipus left Corinth to avoid fulfilling the prophecy.

The Crossroads

• Oedipus encountered a nobleman at a crossroads; a conflict ensued, and Oedipus killed him and his servants.
• Unbeknownst to Oedipus, the nobleman was his father, Laius, King of Thebes.

The Sphinx and Ascension to the Throne

• Oedipus heard of a Sphinx terrorizing Thebes and went to defeat it.
• He solved the Sphinx's riddle, saving Thebes, and was offered the throne and marriage to Queen Jocasta.
• Oedipus married Jocasta and became king, having four children.

The Plague in Thebes

• A plague struck Thebes, and Oedipus sought the cause from the Oracle of Delphi.
• The Oracle revealed that the plague would end when the murderer of Laius was expelled from Thebes.

The Revelation

• Oedipus investigated the murder, summoning the clairvoyant Tiresias, who revealed Oedipus as the murderer.
• Oedipus accused Creon and Tiresias of conspiracy but eventually discovered his true origins.
• A messenger from Corinth confirmed that Oedipus was adopted.
• The servant and messenger revealed Oedipus's true lineage and the prophecy was fulfilled.

The Downfall

• Jocasta, realizing the truth, committed suicide.
• Oedipus blinded himself in despair and chose exile.
• He left Thebes, accompanied by his daughter Antigone, leaving Creon as regent.

Conclusion

• Oedipus's life was a tragic fulfillment of prophecy, demonstrating the inescapability of fate.