Oedipus's Tragedy Through the story of "Oedipus, the King," Sophocles illustrates the irony of tragic discovery and fate. The story of Oedipus was well known to the Athenians. Oedipus is the embodiment of the perfect Athenian. He is self-confident, intelligent, powerful, rich, and strong willed. Ironically, these are the very traits, which bring about his tragic discovery. Oedipus gained the rule of Thebes by answering the riddle of Sphinx. Sophocles used the riddle of the Sphinx as a metaphor for ... the 3 phases of Oedipus" life ... ...

• Word Count: 1375
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School