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Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter

The Sphinx explained

Laius, king of Thebes, orders his newborn son killed to avoid a prophecy, but the child is rescued and raised as Oedipus.

What happens

Laius, king of Thebes, orders his newborn son killed to avoid a prophecy, but the child is rescued and raised as Oedipus. Years later, Oedipus unknowingly kills his father Laius on the road. He then solves the riddle of the Sphinx, saving Thebes, and becomes king, marrying his mother Jocasta. When the truth is revealed, Jocasta commits suicide and Oedipus blinds himself and wanders into exile.

Themes in this chapter

  • Fate and Free Will

    Oedipus's attempts to avoid the prophecy only fulfill it, illustrating the inescapability of fate.

  • Hubris and Divine Retribution

    Laius's attempt to defy the oracle and Oedipus's confident solving of the riddle lead to tragic consequences.

Characters to notice

  • Oedipus

    The protagonist who unknowingly kills his father and marries his mother, then solves the Sphinx's riddle.

  • Jocasta

    Queen of Thebes who marries Oedipus, later revealed to be his mother, leading to her suicide.

  • Laius

    King of Thebes who orders his son killed and is later slain by Oedipus.

Key passages

  • “Laius, king of Thebes, was warned by an oracle that there was danger to his throne and life if his newborn son should be suffered to grow up.”

    An oracle warned King Laius that his newborn son would threaten his throne and life.

    Sets up the prophecy that drives the tragic events.

  • “The Sphinx asked him, 'What animal is that which in the morning goes on four feet, at noon on two, and in the evening upon three?'”

    The Sphinx posed the riddle: what creature walks on four legs in the morning, two at noon, and three in the evening?

    The famous riddle of the Sphinx.

  • “Oedipus replied, 'Man, who in childhood creeps on hands and knees, in manhood walks erect, and in old age with the aid of a staff.'”

    Oedipus answered that it is man, who crawls as a baby, walks upright as an adult, and uses a cane in old age.

    Oedipus's correct answer defeats the Sphinx.

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