Inspiration for today's theatrical performances can be traced back to the Fifth Century B., in which rituals were modified, and eventually turned into a form of art and entertainment. One of the three known playwrights from this era, Sophocles, wrote the tragedy, Oedipus the King, in which the protagonist, Oedipus, inadvertently murders his father, the king of Thebes. Then Oedipus travels to Thebes, where he saves the city from the grip of a sphinx by solving a riddle. He is then appointed the position of king, marrying Jocasta, the widowed queen "although he does not know it is his mother. After many years, a plague strikes Thebes, and Oedipus is unable to destroy it. While searching for solutions to the plague, a soothsayer, Tiresias, reveals the truth to Oedipus who discovers that it is his actions that have created the plague. Finally, in true tragic form, Oedipus loses everything "Jocasta kills herself, Oedipus pulls his eyes from their sockets, has his daughters taken away from him, and is banished from Thebes. .
In Ancient Greece, the masses believed gods controlled all aspects of life, and they could be extremely cruel if a human displeased them. Also, the gods created a person's fate which could not be changed. What is considered superstition in modern day was religion for the Greeks. Oedipus was destined to murder his father and marry his mother, but it is the actions of the characters after this information is revealed that creates the drama. Man versus himself is the main conflict throughout the play. Oedipus fights through numerous stages "anger, denial, fear "before accepting his fate. Although his punishment far out-ways his crimes, Oedipus realizes that he must be reprimanded for his deeds. It is that universal theme, eye for an eye "no pun intended "that makes the message of this play timeless. .
However in today's society, this play would be difficult because of its ancient setting and language.