Summary of Oedipus' Story

Birth and Prophecy

• Birth: Oedipus, son of the king and queen of a prestigious Greek kingdom.
• Prophecy: At Apollo's temple, the king learns that his son will cause his death and the family's ruin.
• Decision: To prevent the prophecy, the king orders the child to be abandoned.
• Rescue: Servant hands the child to a shepherd instead of leaving him to die.
• Adoption: Oedipus is taken to the king of Corinth and adopted by King Polybius and his wife.

Life in Corinth

• Raised as a Prince: Oedipus grows up as the crown prince of Corinth, unaware of his origins.
• Insult and Doubt: During a celebration, he is insulted and questions his legitimacy.
• Oracle's Prophecy: Seeks truth from the Oracle of Delphi, who prophesies he will kill his father and marry his mother.

Journey and Self-Exile

• Fleeing Corinth: Determined to avoid the prophecy, Oedipus leaves Corinth.
• Crossroads Encounter: At a crossroads, he kills a lord and his servants during a confrontation.

Encounter with the Sphinx

• The Sphinx: Oedipus learns of a monster terrorizing Thebes, the Sphinx.
• Challenge Accepted: Solves the Sphinx's riddle, freeing Thebes from its terror.
• Rewards: Marries the queen, Jocasta, and becomes King of Thebes.

Reign in Thebes

• Family: Has four children with Jocasta.
• Plague: A plague hits Thebes, prompting Oedipus to seek the cause.
• Oracle's Solution: The killer of Laius must be expelled to lift the plague.

Discovery and Revelation

• Tiresias' Accusation: The blind seer accuses Oedipus of the murder.
• Messenger's News: Brings news of Oedipus' supposed father's death, leading to realization of his true parentage.
• Truth Revealed: The servant confirms Oedipus' origins; he is Laius' son, fulfilling the prophecy unknowingly.

Tragic Endings

• Jocasta's Suicide: Upon realizing the truth, Jocasta hangs herself.
• Oedipus' Self-Punishment: Blinds himself and abdicates.
• Exile: Oedipus requests exile; Antigone, his daughter, accompanies him.
• Succession: Creon takes over as regent until Oedipus' children come of age.

Themes and Motifs

• Fate vs. Free Will: Attempts to escape fate lead Oedipus to fulfill it.
• Knowledge and Ignorance: The pursuit of truth brings about tragic outcomes.
• Identity: The quest for identity results in personal devastation.

Lessons

• Hubris and Downfall: Oedipus' story is a cautionary tale about pride and the human condition.