description Oedipus Overview
Oedipus is a figure from Greek mythology who became king of Thebes after solving the riddle of the Sphinx. The son of Laius and Jocasta, he unknowingly fulfilled a prophecy by killing his father and marrying his mother, which eventually led him to blind himself upon discovering the truth. His story has been dramatized in numerous works, most notably Sophocles' trilogy 'Oedipus Rex,' 'Oedipus at Colonus,' and 'Antigone.'
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Oedipus ranks #20 of 442 in the Legend ranking, behind Gawain and the Green Knight, ahead of BMW M3.
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What was the riddle of the Sphinx that Oedipus solved?
The Sphinx asked, 'What walks on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon, and three legs in the evening?' Oedipus correctly answered 'Man,' causing the Sphinx to throw itself from a cliff.
Who are Oedipus's parents in Greek mythology?
In the most famous versions of the myth, his parents are King Laius and Queen Jocasta of Thebes. A prophecy warned that he would kill his father and marry his mother, which he unknowingly fulfilled.
Did Oedipus really blind himself in the original myth?
Yes, upon discovering the horrific truth that he had married his mother and killed his father, Oedipus used the brooches from Jocasta's dress to gouge out his own eyes. He chose this self-punishment because he could no longer bear to look at the world he had defiled.
Who wrote the most famous surviving ancient Greek play about Oedipus?
The Athenian playwright Sophocles wrote the famous tragedy 'Oedipus Rex' (or 'Oedipus the King') in the 5th century BC. It remains one of the most studied and performed ancient Greek plays today.
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