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Oedipus Rex (or
Oedipus the King) is a tragedy by Sophocles, first performed around 429 BCE. It is one of the most famous works of Greek drama and a central text in the study of fate, free will, and tragic downfall. It tells the story of Oedipus, the King of Thebes, who unknowingly fulfills a prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother.
The play begins with Thebes suffering from a terrible plague. King Oedipus, determined to save his city, sends his brother-in-law Creon to the oracle at Delphi, who reveals that the plague will end only when the murderer of the former King Laius is found and punished.
Oedipus vows to uncover the truth and issues a curse on the killer-unaware that he is cursing himself. As his investigation unfolds, he questions the blind prophet Tiresias, who reluctantly tells him that he himself is the murderer. Oedipus refuses to believe this and instead suspects Creon of treason.
However, as more evidence is revealed, Oedipus realizes the horrifying truth: he was abandoned as a baby by Laius and Jocasta (his parents) due to a prophecy that he would kill his father. Raised by the King and Queen of Corinth, Oedipus unknowingly fulfilled the prophecy when he killed a man at a crossroads (Laius) and later married the widowed Queen of Thebes (his mother, Jocasta).
Upon discovering the truth, Jocasta hangs herself in despair, and Oedipus blinds himself with her brooches. He then begs to be exiled from Thebes, leaving his fate in the hands of the gods.
