The Birth
Oedipus was born in Thebes to Laius and Jocasta, the king and queen of Thebes. Shortly after Oedipus’ birth, Jocasta hears a prophecy from the gods that Oedipus would kill his father and marry his mother. Out of fear of this prophecy taking place, Jocasta sends Oedipus to be killed. However, the shepherd assigned the task could not bear to kill Oedipus, instead passing him off to a shepherd in Corinth, where Oedipus was raised by the king and queen of Corinth, Polybus and Merope.
The Run
Oedipus hears the same theory that was told to his parents. In an attempt to run away from the prophecy, Oedipus quickly flees Corinth, and soon reaches a crossroad where three roads meet. Oedipus kills a band of strangers who got in his way, and continues on his journey. Oedipus later confronts the Sphinx and solves its riddle, freeing Thebes from its previous plight, and Oedipus is crowned king of Thebes.
The Plague
Another plague strikes Thebes, and Oedipus is determined to find the cause. The oracle reports to free Thebes from the plague, the murderer of Laius would have to be found and exiled. Oedipus vows to find the killer at all costs. Tiresias, a prophet who sees through Apollo’s eyes, is summoned. Tiresias claims that Oedipus killed Laius, which even to Oedipus himself sounds outrageous.
The Truth
Oedipus continues to piece together the puzzle that is Laius’ death, and in the process reveals so much about himself. He soon realizes the strangers he kills at the crossroad may have been Laius and his guard. As he struggles to comprehend this, Oedipus finds out that he was the son of Laius and Jocasta, that he was found by one of Polybus’ servants, and that he had fulfilled the prophecy in trying to run away from it.
The Fall
The truth is revealed to all. Jocasta, Oedipus’ mother and wife, is unable to bear it any further and takes her own life. Oedipus, realizing his blindness to the truth that had been in front of him the entire time, blinds himself to be more like Tiresias. Oedipus is no longer blinded by his ability to see. Oedipus realizes that it is impossible to run away from fate.
Resources
Sophocles. Oedipus Rex. Translated by Robert Fagles, Penguin Classics, 1984.