Overview
This lecture recounts the myth of Oedipus, exploring fate, prophecy, and tragic self-discovery as depicted in Sophocles’ plays.
The Prophecy and Early Life
- King Laius of Thebes received a prophecy he would die by his son's hand.
- Laius and Jocasta tried to avoid this fate by abandoning their baby, Oedipus, with pierced ankles on Mount Cithaeron.
- A compassionate shepherd saved Oedipus and brought him to King Polybus and Queen Merope of Corinth, who raised him without revealing his origins.
- Oedipus learned of doubts about his parentage and sought answers from Apollo’s oracle in Delphi.
Oedipus’s Flight and the Fulfillment of Prophecy
- The Oracle foretold Oedipus would kill his father and marry his mother.
- To avoid this, Oedipus left Corinth for Thebes.
- On his journey, he killed a man at a crossroads—unaware the man was his birth father, Laius.
- Oedipus solved the Sphinx’s riddle, freeing Thebes, and married Jocasta, Laius’s widow and his own mother.
Discovery and Downfall
- A plague struck Thebes, and the Oracle declared the city must punish Laius’s killer.
- Oedipus investigated, suspecting others, but evidence and testimonies revealed he himself was Laius's murderer.
- Jocasta and Oedipus realized the truth of their relationship and fulfillment of the prophecy.
- Jocasta took her own life; Oedipus blinded himself and begged for exile.
Sequel: Oedipus at Colonus
- Years later, Oedipus, now exiled, faced continued accusations but claimed innocence, citing ignorance of his actions.
- He accepted his fate, found peace, and eventually died in Colonus, guided by a divine voice.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Oracle — A priest or priestess through whom a deity is believed to speak.
- Prophecy — A prediction of future events, often from a divine source.
- Thebes — Ancient Greek city ruled by Laius, Jocasta, then Oedipus.
- Sphinx — Mythical creature that posed riddles and killed those who failed to answer.
- Patricide — The act of killing one’s father.
- Incest — Sexual relations between close relatives, here between Oedipus and his mother.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review Sophocles’ plays “Oedipus Rex” and “Oedipus at Colonus” for further understanding.
- Prepare a summary of the themes of fate and self-discovery for discussion.