Oedipus Rex

            
             The story of Oedipus Rex, which was told by Sophocles, is the epitome of a Greek tragedy according to Aristotle. In Oedipus Rex the main character, namely Oedipus Rex, was faced with many devastating and unequivocal tragedies that would test the courage of any man. Oedipus grew up in Corinth, but left when an oracle predicted that he would kill his father and marry his mother. After leaving his faults were revealed in great magnitude when he kills a man, who was actually his father and king of Thebes, and arrogantly defeated the infamous Sphinx. After settling in Thebes and becoming king, Oedipus hired a prophet named Teiresias to find Laius's killer but became furious when he prophesies that Oedipus was the true murderer of his father, and that he is his wife's son and that he will leave Thebes in shame. This infuriated Oedipus and showed his wildly angry side. When he finds out that he is really the cursed killer, all hell breaks out on him. He found his wife, and mother, dead; gouged out his eyes upon seeing her dead; shows his nobility by addressing the city in shame and humility that he was the cursed; and left his kids and family never to return to Thebes. The events including the drastic change of fortune leading up to his banishment makes this a truly woeful and saddening tragedy. .
             The characters in Oedipus Rex develop the plot in the story and make it a complete tragedy. The main character, Oedipus, had some undesirable flaws as well as some good characteristics. Oedipus had a flaring temper that ruined his life. Oedipus was also arrogant, especially after defeating the Sphinx. But, Oedipus was also a good man, father, husband, and king, and for this reason he is mourned over for his loss of fortune. Another character in this poem is his wife Jocasta. .
             The thought in this poem told by Sophocles is the woeful tale of fate, consequences, and misfortune. Oedipus was born an unwanted and banished child, and ended his life a banished man.