The world has morphed throughout time, yet fear and love are universal throughout mankind. Written in 430 B.C. by the Greek philosopher, Sophocles, Oedipus Rex has been known for 24 hundred years.
It’s your classic tragedy: royal prince is outcast as a baby, grows up with shepherds, accidently kills his dad (the king), then saves Thebes, marries his mother unknowingly, has kids, realizes everything, and gouges out his eyes.
…With so much more meaning and brilliance, obviously. But the underlying factor is the character’s fear of prophecy. There was a divine prediction when Oedipus was born that he would someday murder his father and marry his mother. Terrified and disgusted by this future, his parents have his ankles pinned together, and leaves him on a mountain to die (This is Decision Out of Fear #1). There is a significant absence of love from the beginning of Oedipus’ life.
However, the prophecy becomes true and Oedipus marries into royalty. But there is still a mystifying question in the air: Who killed King Laius? The oracles report that Thebes will continue to suffer from a terrible plague until this question is answered, and once again, Sophocles’ character acts out of fear.
Ironically, his fear was not great enough, for the truth was far worse than plague.
When he discovers that he was the one who committed the unthinkable, his world crashes down around him.
Oedipus’ fear ruled his life and influenced his decisions, ultimately pushing him toward the object of his fear.
Theme: Fear is a greater motivator than love.
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