Oedipus: The Ultimate Tragedy of Fate and Mistaken Identity

In Sophocles’ tragedy, Oedipus, a classic figure from Greek mythology, faces a tragic fate. The story explores themes of destiny and the consequences of uncovering painful truths.

Oedipus is one of those tragic figures from Greek mythology that still packs a punch today. His story, famously written by Sophocles, is like the ultimate lesson in “you can’t outrun fate.” Born to King Laius and Queen Jocasta of Thebes, Oedipus is destined to kill his father and marry his mother, which sounds horrifying but is exactly what makes Greek tragedies so compelling.

Oedipus Rex by Sophocles — **The Central Question of Oedipus Rex**

After a series of dramatic twists involving prophecy, mistaken identity, and unfortunate self-blinding, Oedipus’s story serves as a warning about hubris, destiny, and the limits of human control. The tale digs deep into themes of fate vs. free will and what it means to uncover uncomfortable truths. It’s dark, messy, and totally captivating—a classic for a reason!

In the TedEd video below, watch an illustrated telling of the tale of Oedipus Rex:

When Queen Jocasta of Thebes gave birth to Oedipus, a grim air seized the occasion. Her husband, King Laius, had received a prophecy from Apollo’s oracle foretelling that he would die at the hands of his own son. Determined to escape this fate, Laius abandoned the newborn on Mount Cithaeron. But divine prophecies can be quite stubborn. Stephen Esposito shares the tragic Greek tale of Oedipus.