SparkNotes PLUS The evidence then showed that Oedipus was the son of Laius and Jocasta abandoned upon Mount Cithaeron. How did Oedipus become king of thebes? [4] Jocasta, while comforting Oedipus, revealed that Laius was prophesied to be killed by his own son, but had in fact been killed by robbers at a crossroads as he travelled to Delphi. That way, the boy could never walk, let alone harm him. $24.99 Oedipus at Colonus, Cursing his Son Polynices by Henry Fuseli (1777). Other names have been suggested for Oedipus mother, such as Euryclea (as reported in the scholia on Euripides Phoenician Women 26). Creon asks Oedipus to be rational, but Oedipus says that he wants Creon murdered. His siblings were also his children, as they were the children of incest. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. In the post-Homeric tradition, most familiar from Sophocles Oedipus Rex (or Oedipus the King) and Oedipus at Colonus, there are notable differences in emphasis and detail. The oracle prophesied that any son they had would eventually kill King Laius. Renews March 11, 2023 Jocasta eventuallyabandoned the son to the mountains, thinking that he would perish. Creon returns to report that the plague is the result of religious pollution, since the murderer of their former king, Laius, has never been caught. Accessed on 2 Mar. In the epic cycle of poems about him, Oedipus remained on the throne until he died in a war against Erginus and the Minyans, presumably before they became little yellow creatures wearing blue overalls in Pixar films. on 50-99 accounts. Pausanias, Description of Greece 9.26.34. In the tragedians version of the tale, it is Oedipus hubris, his pride, that contributes to the altercation on the road between him and Laius, the man who turns out to be his real father: if Oedipus was less stubborn, he would have played the bigger man and stepped aside to let Laius pass. Oedipus claims that he longs to know the truth; Tiresias says that seeing the truth only brings one pain. The people are sick and dying, babies are born dead or die soon after, women are experiencing infertility, livestock is dying, and crops will not grow This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. He has to worry about more people because hes the king. Gide, Andr. This was the correct answer. Oedipus sizes up a situation, makes a judgment, and actsall in an instant. Creon is at his most dissembling in Oedipus at Colonus, where he once again needs something from Oedipus. The Austrian psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud coined the termOedipus complexto refer to the sexual love a son could feel towards his mother and the jealousy and hatred he would develop against his father. Oedipus represents two enduring themes of Greek myth and drama: the flawed nature of humanity and an individual's role in the course of destiny in a harsh universe. Both Creon and the leader of the Chorus try to get Oedipus to understand that hes concocting fantasies, but Oedipus is resolute in his conclusions and his fury. At the bottom of page 11 going onto page 12 gives Oedipus a miniature prophecy. Is it really a part of the myth, or just fake news ? See Sophocles, Oedipus Tyrannus 718ff, 800ff; Euripides, Phoenician Women 32ff; Diodorus of Sicily, Library of History 4.64.2; Pausanias, Description of Greece 9.2.4, 9.5.10, 10.5.3; Apollodorus, Library 3.5.7; Hyginus, Fabulae 67; etc. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. [19] Possibly even more surprising are the traditions in which Oedipus did not blind himself but rather was blinded much earliereither by Laius servants[20] or even by his foster father, Polybus.[21]. Hello, I have read somewhere (and I cannot remember where exactly) that the reason why the oracle did the initial prediction is because Laius previously had sex with a man, and that the oracle wanted to punish Laius and his offsprings for this. 4 What caused the downfall of Oedipus in Oedipus the King pride or anger? Translated by John Russell. The people are sick and dying, babies are born dead or die soon after, women are experiencing infertility, livestock is dying, and crops will not grow Oedipus was the son of Laius, a king of Thebes, and his wife Jocasta (or Epicasta, according to some sources). After Oedipus birth, Laius sent the newborn to be exposed, but Oedipus was taken to Corinth and raised by the king and queen instead. They raised the homeless child, who became their heir. According to a popular tradition, Oedipus eventually came to the Attic town of Colonus, not far from Athens. He says, "Do you know the family you come from?/Without your knowledge you've become/the enemy of your own kindred/those in the world below and those up here/and the dreadful feet of that two-edged curse/ from father and mother both will drive you/from this land in exile. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Robert S. P. Beekes, Etymological Dictionary of Greek (Leiden: Brill, 2009), 1054. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Scholia on Sophocles Oedipus at Colonus 91. In fear of killing Polybus, Oedipus left Corinth and never returned. This puts him into conflict with Oedipus, who is merely trying to be a good leader and save his city. In the first scene of the play, Sophocles presents the basic social and historical axes around which he will unfold the plot. Kernyi, Kroly. The Thebans were so grateful to Oedipus for killing the Sphinx that they offered him the throne of their city-state, and their widowed queen in marriage. At the center of the play is the issue of the new Theban king's edict in which he tries to deny burial rights to Polynices branding him as a traitor to Thebes undeserving of a burial. For much of Oedipus young life, he didnt realize that his real parents werent the king and queen of Corinth. How did Oedipus become king of thebes? After being raised in Corinth by Polybus and his wife (whose name was either Merope,[5] Periboea,[6] or Medusa[7]), Oedipus found his way back to Thebes and unknowingly married his own mother. Due to his denial of his ill doings out of his own self-interest, contrasting with his kind actions for his family and subjects, Oedipus is a character of moral ambiguity, he brings about his own tragic downfall. What happened to Oedipus after he discovered his crimes was much contested in antiquity. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. E.g., Pausanias, Description of Greece 9.26.3. The story of Oedipus is arguably the most profound and influential of all the Greek myths, the basis of Sophocles fifth-century BC drama, Oedipus Rex. Accessed September 10, 2021. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DO%3Aentry+group%3D2%3Aentry%3Doedipus-bio-1. Additionally, Oedipus physically puts out his own eyes, for . It sat outside the cursed citys walls as a punishment from the gods. Thus, the prophesy had come true in full and Oedipus didnt even know it. Doh! Oedipus and Jocasta were both horrified by this discovery. for a customized plan. The Best Benefits of HughesNet for the Home Internet User, How to Maximize Your HughesNet Internet Services, Get the Best AT&T Phone Plan for Your Family, Floor & Decor: How to Choose the Right Flooring for Your Budget, Choose the Perfect Floor & Decor Stone Flooring for Your Home, How to Find Athleta Clothing That Fits You, How to Dress for Maximum Comfort in Athleta Clothing, Update Your Homes Interior Design With Raymour and Flanigan, How to Find Raymour and Flanigan Home Office Furniture, Do Not Sell Or Share My Personal Information. 430 BCE), and Oedipus at Colonus (405 BCE). Oedipus, in a rage, removed the gold pins from the dress of his wife and mother and blinded himself with them. He didnt know that the man he had killed had been Laius. Euripides, Oedipus frag. How did Oedipus become king of Thebes quizlet? The shepherd could not leave the child in that way, so he took Oedipus to the court of King Polybus and Queen Merope of Corinth. his adoptive mother? Jocasta Sophocles merely dramatized a story that had already been part of the peoples existing mythology, but his version was one of the more popular. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Creon enters, soon followed by Oedipus. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. An alternative etymology derives the name from the verb oida, to know (rather than oide, to swell), so that Oedipus name means he who knows feet. This is also related to his mythology, for the famous riddle of the Sphinx, which Oedipus solved, was about feet. for a group? Despite the efforts of King Laius to prevent impregnating his wife, he failed. However, as this last example shows, we often employ these myths in ways which run quite contrary to the moral messages the original myths impart. New York: Knopf, 1950. Jocasta was keen to patch things up, so sought to cast doubt on Tiresias powers of prophecy and on prophecies in general. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. Provoked by the anger and insults of Oedipus, Tiresias begins to hint at his knowledge. The myth of Oedipus is one of the most famous tragedies in all of classical mythology. Oedipus the King, also called Oedipus Tyrannos or Oedipus Rex, written around 420 BC, has long been regarded not only as his nest play but also as the purest and most powerful expression of Greek tragic drama. Curse upon Laius. Oedipus, King of Thebes, is supported by his daughter (and half-sister) Antigone, as they walk though the plague-ravaged city. Sample A+ Essay: Are Humans Prisoners of Fate in Oedipus the King? At the end of the story Oedipus King of Thebes ends up banished forever from his kingdom. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. In fact, although we have followed the most famous version of the Oedipus story above, and called his mother Jocasta, she is only so named in the tragedies that is, in the plays about Oedipus. 470 BCE). See Sophocles, Oedipus Tyrannus 391ff; Euripides, Phoenician Women 45ff; Diodorus of Sicily, Library of History 4.64.4; Pausanias, Description of Greece 9.26.2; Apollodorus, Library 3.5.8; Hyginus, Fabulae 67; etc. Sophocles, Oedipus Tyrannus 775; Seneca, Oedipus 272, 661, 802. Graves, Robert. Wed love to have you back! When Oedipus and Jocasta learned the truth about their relationship, they were horrified, and she hanged herself. The ancient story has intense dramatic appeal; through Seneca the theme was transmitted to a long succession of playwrights, including Pierre Corneille, John Dryden, and Voltaire. Contact us In addition to this unspoken irony, the conversation between Tiresias and Oedipus is filled with references to sight and eyes. (well say why this is the solution later on; there was also another riddle posed by the Sphinx in some alternative versions of the Oedipus myth, which asks, ). The Cults and the Legend of Oedipus. Harvard Studies in Classical Philology 85 (1981): 22138. Only his devoted daughter Antigone accompanied him, helping him in his blindness and his old age. His motives for doing so, interestingly, vary from telling to telling. Oedipus, in Greek mythology, the king of Thebes who unwittingly killed his father and married his mother. However, in each of these versions it was considered a tragedy. The answer, Oedipus realized, was a human being: humans crawl on four legs as babies, walk on two legs as adults, and become three-footed in old age (when they use a cane to walk). Oedipus accuses Creon of trying to overthrow him, since it was he who recommended that Tiresias come. Before his conception, King Laius visited the oracle of Delphi to find out if he and his wife would ever have a son. The Thebans were overjoyed to finally be free of the Sphinx. Driven into a fury by the accusation, Oedipus proceeds to concoct a story that Creon and Tiresias are conspiring to overthrow him. You'll also receive an email with the link. Oedipus died at Colonus near Athens, where he was swallowed into the earth and became a guardian hero of the land. Soon after, Oedipus was born. Provoked by the anger and insults of Oedipus, Tiresias begins to hint at his knowledge. In most traditions, Jocasta/Epicasta hangs herself, but according to Seneca she stabs herself with a sword. Here is an overview of the story of King Oedipus: Oedipus was the son of the King Laiusand Queen Jocastaof Thebes. Oedipus duly became King of Thebes and married Jocasta, the widow of the previous King, Laius, who had recently died. In the tragedies, someone told Oedipus in order to insult him that he was a foundling and Polybus was not his real father. Thanks, Ken and good spot! Oedipus became ruler after defeating the Sphinx, a creature with the head of a woman, the body of a lioness and the wings of an eagle. Homer related that Oedipuss wife and mother hanged herself when the truth of their relationship became known, though Oedipus apparently continued to rule at Thebes until his death. Queen Jocasta then commanded that the baby be brought to the mountains to die. Oedipus asks Tiresias and Creon a great many questionsquestions are his typical mode of address and frequently a sign of his quick and intelligent mindbut they are merely rhetorical, for they accuse and presume rather than seek answers. Vatican Museums, Vatican. To prevent this from happening, he killed King Laius. I would be delighted to read more on this. 2022 Wasai LLC. How to Market Your Business with Webinars. Laius attempts to do away with the child so it could never grow up to murder him failed, because Oedipus survived. Only forty lines later, he refers to Tiresias as scum, and soon after that accuses him of treason. Interesting Literature is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.co.uk. Hubris is defined by the Webster-Miriam dictionary as Exaggerated pride or confidence (Miriam-Webster Dictionary) in Oedipus the King, by Sophocles, In Oedipus The King, by Sophocles, the onslaught of pain assailing the protagonist is a result of his tragic flaw. Kapach, A. Before we address these questions, it might be worth recapping the story of Oedipus in the form of a brief plot summary: There are a number of different versions of the Oedipus story that have survived from the classical era. Tiresias is blind but can see the truth; Oedipus has his sight but cannot. Modern scholars have long debated the nature of Oedipus's hamartia. | An old and broken man, he finally found some peace: he was honored by the Athenian king Theseus and given a funeral after he died. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Answer the riddle correctly, and he would be allowed to continue to Thebes. Euripides, Phoenician Women 66ff; Statius, Thebaid 1.46ff. Aeschylus also wrote a trilogy about Oedipus and his sons, and so did Euripides with hisPhoenician Women. The Heroes of the Greeks. Details of the Oedipus myth vary from one telling to the next. Zurich: Artemis, 1994. The monster presented a riddle given by the muses to those who tried to pass and devoured those who failed to answer. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Oedipus became ruler after defeating the Sphinx, a creature with the head of a woman, the body of a lioness and the wings of an eagle. 5. Long before the play begins, Oedipus became king of Thebes by solving the riddle of the Sphinx. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Oedipus the King unfolds as a murder mystery, a political thriller, and a psychological whodunit. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. However, the plague caused by Laius death was threatening the city, and Oedipus started looking for Laius killer. The Oracle, however, did not answer his questions but told him that he would kill his father and marry his mother. Creon leaves, and the Chorus reassures Oedipus that it will always be loyal to him. The people were so grateful that they made him King. Deciding to investigate this matter, Oedipus ended up in Delphi, with an intention to learn the truth from the Oracle. Watch the exchange between self-blinded Oedipus and Creon in Sophocles' Greek tragedy, From Athena to Zeus: Basics of Greek Mythology, This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Oedipus-Greek-mythology, Perseus Digital Library - A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology - Oe'dipus, World History Encyclopedia - Oedipus the King, Oedipus - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Finally, when Oedipus furiously accuses Tiresias of the murder, Tiresias tells Oedipus that Oedipus himself is the curse. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. He was a strangely popular figure in the 1960s, a decade that saw the release of at least two films based on the Oedipus myth: Oedipus Rex (1967), from Italian director Pier Paolo Pasolini, and Oedipus the King (1968), starring Christopher Plummer in the titular role. Oedipus cursed whoever is guilty of killing Laius, unaware that, in doing so, he has just condemned himself. What did Oedipus tell his brother in law about the plague? From about 280 it was once more part of the revived Boeotian League, forming regional alliances as required. Cf. Homer related that Oedipuss wife and mother hanged herself when the truth of their relationship became known, though Oedipus apparently continued to rule at Thebes until his death. When the citizens of Thebes beg him to do something about the plague, for example, Oedipus is one step ahead of themhe has already sent Creon to the . In the common tradition, Jocasta killed herself, while Oedipus blinded himself.[18]. How did Oedipus become the prince of Corinth? A shepherd rescues Oedipus and brings him to the king of Corinth, who raises Oedipus. During his journey, he came to Davlia, a place where three roads crossed over one another. creating and saving your own notes as you read. Oedipus begs him to reveal who Laius's murderer is, but Tiresias answers only that he knows the truth but wishes he did not. When he fled, he ran into Laius, who was disrespectful, so Oedipus killed him. [29] Oedipus was also worshipped in other parts of the Greek world, including Sparta, the island of Thera,[30] and the Boeotian town of Eteonus.[31]. The messages they impart are therefore timeless and universal, and this helps to explain why, more than two millennia after they were first written down, they remain such an important influence on Western culture. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. (This caused the childs feet to swell up, and in turn gave rise to Oedipus name, which literally means swollen foot.). Copyright 2023 History Today Ltd. Company no. Were building the worlds most authoritative, online mythology resource, with engaging, accessible content that is both educational and compelling to read. What of the other riddle that exists in some alternative versions of the Oedipus story? He had fulfilled the prophecy of the oracle. Any ideas? The line of succession was not clear, and Polynices and Eteocles started quarreling about their claim to the throne. We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. Filmed by Pier Paolo Pasolini, set to music by Igor Stravinsky and George Enescu, it was the basis of Sigmund Freuds most famous psychoanalytic theory. In some traditions, Oedipus was sent into exile by either his brother-in-law (and uncle) Creon or by his own sons, Eteocles and Polyneices. Updates? Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996. He had killed Laius. 541 Nauck (reported in the scholia on Euripides Phoenician Women 61). Oedipus, in Greek mythology, the king of Thebes who unwittingly killed his father and married his mother. The oracle tells Oedipus father Laius, the King of Thebes, that his son will kill him. The Oracle at Delphi prophesied that the son of Laius and Jacosta would kill his father and marry his mother. Creon (king of Thebes), mythological king of Thebes Creon (king of Corinth), father of Creusa/Glauce in Euripides' Medea Creon, son of Heracles by a daughter of Thespius, king of Thespiae; Medicine. He asked them for a description of the former king, and where the killing took place, and his worst fears were confirmed. Read important quotes about sight and blindness by Oedipus and Tiresias. How did Oedipus became the King of Thebes? Oedipus Becomes King of Thebes. King Oedipus was the main character in Sophocles tragic plays,Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone. The story of Oedipus has become one of the most famous myths of Ancient Greece and has widely spread beyond the frontiers of Greek mythology. Jocasta, realising the awful truth, returned to the royal palace, where she hanged herself. After all, mythology is storytelling at its finest. And upon facing the monster, Oedipus answer wasman, who at the beginning life crawls on hands and feet, later stands on two legs, and then finally in old age uses a staff to help them walk. Laius didnt listen to this prophecy, and went ahead and conceived a son with Jocasta. The myth of Oedipus transcended Greek mythology and became a common theme in plays, paintings, and music of the 18th and 19th centuries. [23] Finally, according to Homer, nothing changed at all: Oedipus continued to rule Thebes until he eventually fell in battle.[24]. Privacy Policy, https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DO%3Aentry+group%3D2%3Aentry%3Doedipus-bio-1. [28], There were tombs and hero cults of Oedipus in the region of ancient Attica, including in Colonus and Athens itself. The child was named Oedipus, and was brought up as the prince of Corinth. Thinking that he was from Corinth, he set out toward Thebes to avoid this fate. The Greek Myths. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. 1 How did Oedipus became the King of Thebes? [13] Ever since Laius death (by Oedipus), the Sphinx had been terrorizing Thebes by sitting on a cliff outside the city and putting a riddle to any Theban who passed by. Character Analysis 10. Oedipus dares Tiresias to say it again, and so Tiresias calls Oedipus the murderer. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% In solving her riddle, the Sphinx is vanquished, and she dies. 2 vols. His sharp mind and quickness to action have made him an admired and successful leader. Oedipus ruled Thebes with Jocasta as his wife, not knowing that they were related. . How did Oedipus die? We describe a challenging undertaking as a Herculean task, and speak of somebody who enjoys great success as having the Midas touch. When the Sphinx saw Oedipus, she presented her riddle as always, usually quoted as: What is that which has one voice and yet becomes four-footed and two-footed and three-footed?[14]. Two Legends: Oedipus and Theseus. Red-figure Kylix from Vulci showing Oedipus and the Sphinx. Read more about how Oedipus's great insight gives way to swift and rash action. Sophocles told how Oedipus was saved from death as an infant and raised in Corinth. Simple, eh? The Thebans were so grateful to Oedipus for killing the Sphinx that they offered him the throne of their city-state, and their widowed queen in marriage. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. When Oedipus grew up and reached adulthood, he left home, and his adoptive parents, behind. please make it possible to print your articles!!!!!! Homer, Odyssey 11.271ff; cf. He therefore vowed never to return to Corinth, believing that that was where his parents lived. Enter a Melbet promo code and get a generous bonus, An Insight into Coupons and a Secret Bonus, Organic Hacks to Tweak Audio Recording for Videos Production, Bring Back Life to Your Graphic Images- Used Best Graphic Design Software, New Google Update and Future of Interstitial Ads. It turns out that this guy is actually the shepherd who found Oedipus on the mountain and brought him to Corinth. To reward Oedipus, they made him their king and gave him as his bride Jocasta (or Epicasta), their queen and the widow of the late king Laius. At the opening of Oedipus the King, we see that these qualities make him an excellent ruler who anticipates his subjects' needs. Cron, a commune in the Gironde . It sat outside the cursed city's walls as a punishment from the gods. E.g., Sophocles, Oedipus Tyrannus; Euripides, Phoenician Women; Apollodorus, Library 3.5.7; etc. The Thebans were overjoyed to finally be free of the Sphinx. Oedipus then became king of Thebes, as husband of the widowed Jocasta. Oedipodia (fragments); Pherecydes, FHG 1 F 48 (reported in the scholia on Euripides Phoenician Women 53), who adds that Oedipus had two children from his marriage to his mother and that their names were Phrastor and Laonytus, while Eurygania was the mother of not only Antigone, Ismene, Eteocles, and Polyneices but also of another daughter named Jocasta; Pausanias, Description of Greece 9.5.11; Apollodorus, Library 3.5.8; scholia on Euripides Phoenician Women 13, 53, 1760. Copyright Symbol Sage 2022 All Rights Reserved. After that, Oedipus headed to Thebes, where he would find the sphinx, answer its riddle and become king. In many plays a character could have a misconception of his or her world. Homer related that Oedipus's wife and mother hanged herself when the truth of their relationship became known, though Oedipus apparently continued to rule at Thebes until his death. When the boy was born, however, Laius was careful to avoid the prophecy coming true, so he had the boys ankles pierced and joined together with a strap. Have you heard about this before ? Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. Written by GreekBoston.com in Greek Mythology Other sources say that his son Eteocles went looking for Oedipus help to claim the throne and that Oedipus cursed him and his brother to die in their fight to be king. Oedipus was born, and King Laius decided to get rid of him. Creon, the first annual eponymous archon of Athens, 682-681 BC; Greek mythology. When Oedipus discovered that he had fulfilled the prophecy, he gouged his eyes, blinding himself, and banished himself from the city. But Oedipus had learned the prophecy in a dream and was able to answer his half-sister. Free trial is available to new customers only. The city's fortunes wavered between independence and subjugation. Clearly sisters here is meant to imply some sort of complementary relationship. The good king, Oedipus, despite everything he did for the city of Thebes, hurt his people deliberately through his actions. Creon, the queens brother, tells Oedipus that Apollo has commanded to take revenge upon whoever killed Laius and that will put an end to the plague. Enter your email address to subscribe to this site and receive notifications of new posts by email. This man, her husband, was her biological son. As William Empson pointed out in his notes to his brilliant poem Four Legs, Two Legs, Three Legs, Oedipus solution was man but it told us nothing about mankind. According to a lesser-known alternative, Laius tried to kill Oedipus not by leaving him in the mountains but by putting him in a chest and tossing it into the sea (see also the myth of Perseus); eventually, the chest drifted to Corinth, where Oedipus was discovered and raised by Polybus (scholia on Euripides Phoenician Women 26). The name Oedipus is derived from the Greek verb oide, meaning to swell, and the noun pous, meaning foot. Oedipus name thus translates to he who has a swollen foot. This etymology is reflected in the myth that Oedipus ankles were pierced when he was abandoned as a baby.[1]. Two Faces of Oedipus: Sophocles Oedipus Tyrannus and Senecas Oedipus. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2008. When Oedipus desired to know more about his parentage, he consulted the Delphic Oracle, only to be told that he must not go to his home or he would kill his father and marry his mother. Oedipus, supposed son of Polybus, King of Corinth; now elected King of Thebes.. Jocasta, Queen of Thebes; widow of Laus, the late King, and now wife to Oedipus.. Creon, a Prince of Thebes, brother to Jocasta.. Tiresias, an old blind seer..