In What Situation did Oedipus Kill his Father?
Oedipus Rex is a notable literary work by Sophocles. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Oedipus Rex.
Answer
In what situation did Oedipus kill his father?
Sophocles’ (c. 496 – 406 BC) “Oedipus Rex” (first performed in c. 429 BC) portrays the tragedy of King Oedipus. In the play, Oedipus unknowingly fulfills his destiny by killing his father and marrying his mother. Oedipus killed his father, King Laius, during a fight at a crossroads.
Prophecy: Oedipus was born to King Laius and Queen Jocasta of Thebes. A prophecy said he would grow up to kill his father and marry his mother. To stop this, his parents tied his ankles and left him to die on a mountain. But a shepherd saved him, and Oedipus was raised by another king and queen in Corinth. Oedipus grew up thinking they were his real parents.
At a Crossroads: When Oedipus grew up, he heard the same prophecy. To avoid hurting his parents (the king and queen in Corinth), he ran away. On the road, he met a rude older man in a chariot at a crossroads. This man was actually King Laius, Oedipus’s real father, but neither of them knew each other. He ordered Oedipus to move aside and make away. Oedipus refused to move. The situation quickly turned into an argument. Laius, annoyed by Oedipus’s refusal, struck him with a staff. In a fit of rage, Oedipus attacked and killed Laius and most of his servants:
I struck him in my rage…I killed him. I killed them all.
Prophecy Fulfilled: After this, Oedipus traveled to Thebes. There he answered the riddle of the Sphinx and saved the city. Then, the people of Thebes selected him as their king. He married the king’s widow, Jocasta, who is actually his real mother. For years, no one knew the truth. But when a plague struck Thebes, Oedipus vowed to find Laius’ killer to save the city. Through investigations, he discovered that the man he killed at the crossroads was Laius—his father. His attempt to escape the prophecy had actually made it come true.
In short, Oedipus killed his father by accident during a fight at a crossroads. This tragic mistake sealed his fate.