Oedipus the King

Before Oedipus was king, he hears of a prophecy foretelling that he will kill his father and wed his mother. Dedicating his life to standing up against the prophecy, Oedipus imposes self-exile, never to return to his parents again. His travels take him to the foreign land of Thebes, where a catastrophic plague is destroying the city. Oedipus discovers the cause and conquers the sharp-clawed monstrous sphinx, and Thebes prospers. Oedipus the hero is crowned the king. It is here that the play begins and, clearly, some men are destined for greatness. But then there is Oedipus.

Other plays by Sophocles include “Antigone,” “Ajax,” “Electra,” “Women of Trachis,” and “Oedipus at Colonus.”