# Oedipus Rex — Character guide

> Key figures in Oedipus Rex by Sophocles.

- [Oedipus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/oedipus_rex_se/characters/oedipus.md): King of Thebes who solved the riddle of the Sphinx and unknowingly fulfills a terrible prophecy.
- [Jocasta](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/oedipus_rex_se/characters/jocasta.md): Queen of Thebes, wife of Oedipus, who gradually realizes the horrifying truth.
- [Creon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/oedipus_rex_se/characters/creon.md): Brother of Jocasta, trusted advisor to Oedipus, later becomes king.
- [Teiresias](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/oedipus_rex_se/characters/teiresias.md): Blind prophet who reveals the truth about Laius's murder to Oedipus.
- [Laius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/oedipus_rex_se/characters/laius.md): Former king of Thebes, murdered at a crossroads, whose killer Oedipus seeks.
- [Herdsman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/oedipus_rex_se/characters/herdsman.md): The shepherd who witnessed Laius's murder and later saved the infant Oedipus.
- [Messenger](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/oedipus_rex_se/characters/messenger.md): Brings news from Corinth of Polybus's death and reveals Oedipus's true parentage.
- [Polybus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/oedipus_rex_se/characters/polybus.md): King of Corinth, adoptive father of Oedipus, whose death sets events in motion.
- [Merope](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/oedipus_rex_se/characters/merope.md): Queen of Corinth, adoptive mother of Oedipus.
- [Apollo](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/oedipus_rex_se/characters/apollo.md): God whose oracle at Delphi prophesied Oedipus's fate.
- [Menoeceus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/oedipus_rex_se/characters/menoeceus.md): Father of Creon and Jocasta, mentioned as part of Theban royal lineage.
- [Sphinx](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/oedipus_rex_se/characters/sphinx.md): Monster whose riddle Oedipus solved, becoming king of Thebes.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/oedipus_rex_se/characters