A major part of any story is the cause and effect relationships that occur, especially during the conflict and rising action. Whether examining the effects on the protagonist, or on the plot itself, it is a significant element in understanding literature. Learn more here!
Oedipus is the most widely known of all Sophocles’ plays. This is primarily because of the psychological concept of the “Oedipal Complex” that Sigmund Freud named for the play’s protagonist. After hearing his prophesied fate was to kill his father and then marry is mother, Oedipus tried everything to ensure that this very thing did not happen. However, the very actions taken to avoid this fate led him to fulfill the prophecy.
A T-Chart is a graphic organizer that separates information into columns, traditionally for comparing. This graphic organizer gets its name from the basic version with two columns: it looks like the letter "T". Create your own today!
Fate of Oedipus T-Chart - Choices and Consequences (for character development)
Storyboard Text
CHOICE
CONSEQUENCE
King Laius tries to dispose of Oedipus once he hears the prophecy.
The servant he sent to abandon Oedipus could not do it. Instead, he was given to a passing herdsman, and was eventually adopted by the King and Queen of Corinth.
Oedipus hears a rumor that he might be adopted, so he goes to Delphi to find out. The oracle only tells him that he will kill his father and marry his mother.
Not knowing the truth, and still believing the King and Queen of Corinth to be his real parents, he leaves the city. At a crossroads, he meets King Laius. The two quarrel, and Oedipus kills him.
Oedipus arrives in Thebes to find it being terrorized by the Sphynx. It will only leave after its riddle is answered. Oedipus accepts the challenge, answers it correctly, and saves Thebes.
Finding that the Queen of Thebes, Jocasta, was recently widowed, Oedipus marries her to solidify his new leadership.