Odeipus Case

Oedipus

In the Greek story of Oedipus, all the events were centered on Apollo's prophecy that King Laius's son would kill his father and marry his mother. Therefore, King Laius and his wife, Jocasta, try to avoid Apollo's prediction by having their son executed. However, years later Laius confronted Oedipus and was killed. "He never knew that in his death he had proved Apollo's truth." (Hamilton 269)

Oedipus was fated by Apollo from birth. Apollo saved him from an early death only so he can fulfill his intention. Apollo knew when Oedipus learned of his prophecy he would leave Corinth immediately to avoid his fate. Apollo then viciously arranged for Oedipus to kill his real father in self-defense. Oedipus had no idea that he had completed part of the prophecy and went on to Thebans and unknowingly finished the rest. Apollo then arranged for Oedipus to defeat the sphinx, which allowed him to become king and marry his own mother.

After their two sons had grown to manhood, Apollo set a plague upon thieves to force Oedipus to find the murder of King Laius. Apollo conveniently arranged for the messenger and the Shepard to play their role in revealing the demoralizing truth that lead to the suicide of Jocasta and caused Oedipus to blindness by shame.