To begin; Sophocles is only really remembered for being one of three ancient Greek play writers that has historically documented works still available. His works are long (as most tragedies are), it is difficult to read for modern individuals, and they serve best as they were intended to be performed; as a play. Past that, I don't think this guy was a blast to have at parties.
This story itself has been overcooked and over-analyzed for decades of literature courses and scholarly discussions. I have been assigned this story to discuss on multiple occasions, and I'm quite frankly tired of it. (No offense, Prof. Kikendall) This work should absolutely be addressed at least once in an English (or Psychology) major's life. Oedipus is a line for line example of a traditional Greek tragedy and can be appreciated thusly, however, in my opinion there is nothing that entails the amount of attention this piece gets.
To discuss the plot seems moot; you have read Oedipus. Anyone who graduated high school has read this within groups and resented their professors for assigning it. The plot is basic; king needs to help his people, king sends his brother-in-law (Uncle) to find help. Brother-in-Uncle says they must find the previous king's killer. I wish this is where a cheesy rom-com would begin, and Oedipus meets a funny, quirky girl and they run away, but that's not how these things work. Oedipus decides to go full Sherlock and solve the murder. He has a prophecy foretold unto him that he will be in an incestuous marriage that will drive him crazy, (Spoiler; it happens)
Oedipus's wife-mother tells him not to worry about it, weird prophecies happen all the time. I mean afterall, her first born son didn't kill her husband or marry her because she killed him as an infant...right? (Spoiler, she didn't) Lots of story later and discussion with the sheep herder he finds out that, surprise, he actually is the son of the former king whom he killed and is now married to his own mom! The mother, Jocasta, ends her own life on learning the news. Oedipus then goes ham on his eyes with pins from his mother-wife's dress. Now blind, really sad, and disgraced from the thrown he asks his brother-uncle to kill him. Alas, what tragedy would be complete without a loose ending? The play ends with our incestuous fallen king waiting for an oracle to determine his fate.
I just wrote the story in two paragraphs what took Sophocles a small paperweight of a book to do. This piece is over-done, wordy, and boring. I really do not want to read this again.
Let's end with something that I don't hate; terrible humor.
Why was Oedipus against profanity?
Because he kisses his mother with that mouth.
Bu-dum-tss.
