O myth of Oedipus is one of the main myths in Greek mythology. It narrates the fulfillment of a prophecy about Oedipus, son of Laius and Jocasta, king and queen of Thebes. Oedipus would be responsible for killing Laius and marrying Jocasta, which is why he is abandoned. The myth ends with the realization of the tragedy.
Read too:King Midas — the protagonist of another famous myth present in Greek mythology
Summary of the myth of Oedipus
Oedipus is a very popular character in Greek mythology.
It was popularized through Oedipus the King, a tragedy written by the playwright Sophocles in the 5th century BC. W.
This tragedy is part of the Theban trilogy, also composed of Antigone It is Oedipus at Colona.
Oedipus received the prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his own mother.
The myth ends in tragedy, with Oedipus fulfilling what the oracle had predicted.
Who was Oedipus in Greek mythology?
Oedipus is the character from one of the best-known myths dGreek mythology. Its popularity is explained because the myth of Oedipus was transformed by the Greek playwright Sophocles into the tragedy
Oedipus the King. Sophocles lived in the 5th century BC. W. and his version of the myth is the best known.Oedipus the King is part of the Theban trilogy, also composed of Antigone It is Oedipus at Colona. The tragedy narrates the fulfillment of a prophecy that haunted Oedipus' life, leading to a great tragedy.
What happens in the Oedipus myth?
The myth of Oedipus begins with a prophecy to Laius and Jocasta, king and queen of the Greek city of Thebes. The oracle at Delphi had announced that their son would be responsible for great tragedies, as would kill his father, Laius, and then he would marry his own mother, Jocasta.
The son of the king and queen of Thebes is the protagonist of the myth and was named Oedipus. Fearful of what they heard from the oracle, Laius and Jocasta decided to get rid of of Oedipus, summoning a servant to end the child's life. The servant felt sorry and did not kill her, leaving her hanging from a tree to her fate.
The child was found by a peasant, taken to Corinth, and there adopted by Polybus and Merope, king and queen of the city.Oedipus grew up without knowing it was legitimate son of the kings of Corinth and unaware of the existence of his real parents.
Many years later, the oracle at Delphi fulfilled the same prophecy, and Oedipuswas told that he would kill his father and marry his mother. Thinking he was the son of Polybus and Delphi, he decided to flee Corinth to get as far away from his family as possible, lest the prophecy be fulfilled.
Oedipus he chose to move to Thebes, and thus he was closer than he imagined to fulfilling his destiny. Halfway there, he met Laius and a servant, both on their way to the oracle. Laius intended to receive greater guidance regarding the signs that the prophecy was close to being fulfilled, and, before reaching the oracle, his fate was sealed.
Along the way, Oedipus and Laius crossed paths, and a disagreement arose because Oedipus was attacked by Laius and his servant to give way to the king of Thebes. Oedipose was enraged by the aggression and murdered Laius and his servant, thus killing his own father.
Oedipus went his way, and, when he reached Thebes, it found-The being attacked by a monster: the sphinx. This is characterized, in Greek culture, as a demonic being with the body of a lion, wings and a feminine face. The sphinx questioned everyone who arrived in Thebes and asked them the answer to a riddle.
All those who did not know how to respond were devoured, but Oedipus it achieved unravelthe riddle, like this shamewalk the Sphinx, what commits suicide. The population of Thebes thanked Oedipus for freeing them all from destruction, and for this they offered him the throne of the city and the queen's hand in marriage.
With that, Oedipus became king of Thebes and married Jocasta, his own mother. The prophecy was then completed. Over the years, Oedipus and Jocasta had four children, named Eteocles, Ismenia, Antigone and Polyneices. Neither Oedipus nor Jocasta knew that the prophecy had been fulfilled with their marriage.
See too: Norse mythology — the mythical narratives of the Scandinavians
How does the myth of Oedipus end?
Years later, The city of Thebes began to suffer from a violent plague, and Oedipus called a soothsayer to help free Thebes from this situation.
The soothsayer, named Tiresias, revealed that what was happening was the result of Oedipus' action. The king of Thebes then understood that the prophecy had been fulfilled. In shock, Jocasta committed suicide, and Oedipus decided to resign Thethe throne and abandonair Thebes, living on the streets for the rest of his days.
