... many positive qualities. As the play begins, Sophocles presents King Oedipus as ruler of Thebes. He was a hero to Thebes because he had rid their city of the cursed Sphinx by solving a riddle. Oedipus is determined to again save Thebes from the devastations of a plague that has come, this time, as a curse because of the death of former King Laius. King Oedipus ... by piercing his eyes with Jocasta's golden brooches. Ironically, his blindness finds him in a place with better sight. His ignorance of his destiny has disappeared. He has discovered himself (Cameron 39). Oedipus understands a...

• Word Count: 1668
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

The self-confident, intelligent, and strong willed leader named Oedipus gained ruler of Thebes by answering this Riddle of Sphinx; what has four legs in the morning, two at noon, and three at night? Oedipus replies, Man (who crawls on all fours as a baby, walks upright later, and needs a walking ... liberated his people from previous misfortunes. "You came and by your coming saved our city, freed us from the tribute which we paid of old to the Sphinx, cruel singer," (Sophocles, 39-41) says the priest. While others may claim the incest and wickedness Oedipus encounters may overshadow his good...

• Word Count: 1027
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School