Before defining Oedipus’ tragedy, it is necessary to understand the circumstances that brought him to his downfall. Oedipus’ tragedy begins in Thebes before his birth. Shortly before the birth of their son, King Laius and Queen Jocasta received word of a chilling prophecy. They were warned that their newborn son would grow up and kill his father and then shortly after marry and have children with his mother. In order to avoid this horrible fate, Laius and Jocasta decide to abandon their infant son in the mountains, and never look back. After a series of strange events, Oedipus ends up in Thebes, where he is crowned King after defeating the Sphinx. Jocasta’s brother Creon brings an old blind prophet named Teiresias to Thebes with an interesting prophecy. Oedipus’ past slowly unfolds, and finally

Oedipus is a classic example of a tragic hero. He allowed his arrogance to shadow reality, and became so naïve that when the truth finally came out he went into a severe state of denial. Fate works in strange ways, and in Oedipus’ case, it worked against him one hundred percent.

Oedipus’ was doomed to fail even before his birth. Prophets had an ability to see into the future and predict what would happen, which is exactly what Teiresias did. It seems that the prophets that predicted Oedipus’ demise saw that he wouldn’t be able to control his temper and avoid his fate. Perhaps if Oedipus wasn’t so dense he would have been able to avoid the unavoidable. Oedipus allowed his pride to take over when what he really needed was common sense. Oedipus was too conceited to walk away from the events that would take place in Delphi. After all of the events of the story unfolded, it became clear to me that Oedipus’ demise was not fated. The prophets predicted what would happen; however, I don’t believe that fate is inevitable. It is possible to be extremely careful and make intelligent well thought out decisions that would help, not hinder your existence. Oedipus may not have liked the idea of living his life by constantly walking on egg shells, but if he cared half as much about avoiding his fate as he should have he would have realized that it was the only way thrive successfully.

both Oedipus and Jocasta learn the horrible truth. Jocasta runs into the house and hangs herself

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