Oedipus' life :
Oedipus Rex is King of Thebes. Given the prophecy of killing his father and marrying his mother, his father King Laius left him for dead. Adopted by a family, he grew up thinking he was another mans son and never believed his fate. Later, where three roads met, he killed a man, never knowing that he was his father because his "father" was at home safe. Saving the town of Thebes from the terrible sphinx, he became King after Laius' death and married his wife Jocasta, who was also his mother, he just didn't know it yet. A plague is brought upon Thebes and the only way to save the town is to bring justice to Laius' killer. When Oedipus finds out that his prophecy came true and he killed the late king, he stabs his own eyes out and takes full responsibility for the terror he brought on his people.
The Power of Unwritten Law
When Jocasta tells Oedipus where Laius had died, he starts piecing together the unfortunate events of his past. Jocasta reveals that Laius was cut down at a place where three roads met by a group of people. This then triggers Oedipus' thoughts and he soon realizes that he might be the one who had taken Laius' life away. Oedipus once said that whoever killed the late King Laius would drag his/her life out in agony, step by painful step. Now that he knows the murderer is himself, he knows that him dying or leaving is the only way to save his people. Oedipus mentioned a curse that would strike the killer of the past King, and this curse was never written in stone, but now that he knows that he himself is the murderer the unknown law must be carried out.
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This video can sort of give you a feeling of Oedipus. Even though Laius had died, he is still there. Oedipus fell under his fate, and succumbed to royalty. Now,Laius' death haunts Oedipus and he constantly has to deal with his wrong doings. " Those who are dead are not dead, they're just living in my head". This can be translated to Laius always lurking in Oedipus' thoughts.
Above is a picture of Oedipus confronting the Spinx- which you could also say is the beginning to his end. |