Oedipus and the Sphinx

This image depicts the monumental turning point for Oedipus. The event shown here is the beginning of his tragic downfall. This moment in the play is the climax of the play. When Oedipus answers the sphinx's riddle, he is walking into the role of Tragic hero. The answering of the riddle secured his place as the King. He then goes on to marry the Queen, who in this case is his mother. Thus fulfilling the second part of the prophecy made by the Oracle on the day of his birth. Oedipus becoming King results in a plague sweeping the land. Driven by is pride as King, Oedipus journeys to find the cause of the plague, finally discovering the origins of his birth and the truth of who killed the previous King.

Work Cited:

"Oedipus encountering the Sphinx." Look and Learn. Web. 1 Nov 2010. <http://www.lookandlearn.com/blog/?p=135>.