In Greek mythology, Jocasta was the wife and mother of Oedipus. When her son Oedipus was born, she was told a prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother. To prevent this, Jocasta and her husband Laius ordered a servant to kill their newborn son. However, the servant took pity on the baby and gave him to a shepherd, who then gave the child to King Polybus and Queen Merope of Corinth, who raised him as their own. Oedipus grew up not knowing his true parents or the prophecy. As an adult, he fulfilled the prophecy by unwittingly killing Laius and then marrying Jocasta, not realizing she was his mother.
What was the prophecy told about Oedipus?
The prophecy told about Oedipus was that he would grow up to kill his father and marry his mother. This was an alarming prophecy, as it meant Oedipus was fated to commit terrible sins of patricide and incest. In Greek mythology, prophecies were taken very seriously, as it was believed they revealed the unavoidable will of the gods. Jocasta and Laius were desperate to prevent the prophecy from coming true, leading them to order their newborn son killed.
Why did Jocasta and Laius try to kill their baby Oedipus?
Jocasta and Laius tried to kill their baby Oedipus in an attempt to prevent the prophecy from being fulfilled. As soon as they heard that their son was destined to kill his father and marry his mother, they decided they had to get rid of him in order to stop this terrible fate from happening. Though it seems cruel, in the ancient Greek worldview, the prophecy was seen as inevitable. By abandoning Oedipus, Jocasta and Laius hoped they could cheat fate and avoid the tragic consequences foretold by the prophecy.
How did Oedipus end up surviving as a baby?
Though Jocasta and Laius ordered Oedipus to be killed as a newborn, their servant took pity on the innocent baby and decided not to go through with it. Instead, the servant passed the baby on to a shepherd, who then took Oedipus to King Polybus and Queen Merope of Corinth. Polybus and Merope, who were childless, adopted Oedipus and raised him as their own son. Growing up as a prince in Corinth, Oedipus remained unaware of his true identity and the prophecy. So despite Jocasta and Laius’ attempts, their son Oedipus ended up surviving because the two men ordered to kill him refused to go through with it and allowed him to be adopted.
How did Oedipus end up fulfilling the prophecy?
Years later, after growing up adopted in Corinth, Oedipus went to the oracle at Delphi, who revealed to him the prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother. Not realizing Polybus and Merope were only his adoptive parents, Oedipus left Corinth, hoping to avoid the prophecy by not returning home. On the road, Oedipus got into an altercation with a traveler, who unknown to him was actually his biological father Laius. Oedipus killed the man, thus fulfilling the first part of the prophecy by killing his real father. Continuing on his travels, Oedipus then saved the city of Thebes from the Sphinx by solving her riddle, after which the grateful citizens made him their king. Thebes had recently lost their king, so Oedipus married the now widowed queen – who was, unbeknownst to him, his biological mother Jocasta. In this way, the prophecy was fulfilled, despite Jocasta and Laius’ attempts to prevent it.
When did Oedipus learn Jocasta was his mother?
Oedipus only learned that Jocasta was his mother after he had already married her and become king of Thebes. After marrying Jocasta, Oedipus went on to rule Thebes successfully for many years and had four children with her. However, a plague eventually struck the city, and Oedipus tried to find the cause by consulting the blind prophet Tiresias. Tiresias revealed that the plague was divine punishment for the presence of an unpunished killer of the old king Laius in the city. Oedipus then launched an investigation and slowly discovered that he himself was the killer of Laius. Jocasta finally realized the horrifying truth when a messenger came with news that King Polybus of Corinth had died of natural causes – meaning Oedipus had killed his own father Laius. Jocasta immediately took her own life in shame. Soon after, Oedipus too realized to his horror that he had fulfilled the terrible prophecy after all.
How did Oedipus and Jocasta react to the truth?
| Character | Reaction |
|---|---|
| Jocasta | Jocasta reacted with immediate horror and shame when she realized Oedipus was her son. Unable to bear the terrible knowledge that she had married her own child, Jocasta took her own life by hanging herself. |
| Oedipus | When Oedipus learned the full truth, he was utterly distraught with grief and guilt. In a fit of anguish, he gouged out his own eyes with Jocasta’s brooch, so he would not have to look upon the ruin he had brought to Thebes. |
Learning the prophecy had come true was a devastating blow to both Oedipus and Jocasta. While Jocasta reacted by immediately committing suicide, Oedipus painfully blinded himself and begged to be exiled from Thebes for his sins.
How did the truth impact Oedipus’ children/siblings?
Oedipus had four children with Jocasta – Eteocles, Polynices, Antigone, and Ismene – who were also his siblings, unbeknownst to any of them. The children were greatly impacted when it came to light that Oedipus was their father and brother:
- Eteocles and Polynices were so ashamed that they agreed to rule Thebes alternately, switching the throne each year.
- Antigone felt loyal to Oedipus and helped guide him after he blinded himself.
- Ismene also remained by her father’s side but was very fearful and cautious.
The truth was a terrible blow to the royal children. Their family was destroyed, their parents dead or disgraced, and their own identities thrown into question. The stigma and shame of their incestuous origins would haunt them for the rest of their lives.
How did the information spread throughout Thebes?
As the tragic truth about Oedipus came to light, the news spread swiftly throughout the city of Thebes, causing shock, horror, and chaos:
- There was widespread disbelief, denial, and dismay among the citizens as their beloved king was revealed to be guilty of heinous sins.
- Messengers and criers spread the word in public squares and marketplaces, informing the common people.
- The royal court was thrown into upheaval as the line of succession was thrown into question after Oedipus’ downfall.
- Priests and religious leaders declared the gods’ judgment against Oedipus and called for him to be punished or exiled for his crimes.
- There was much gossip, whispering, and scandalmongering as the people tried to come to terms with the sordid tragedy.
In the space of a few days, Oedipus went from honored king to utter disgrace in the eyes of his people. The shocking revelation would forever taint his legend in Thebes and beyond.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when Jocasta realized her baby Oedipus was destined to kill his father and marry her, she and Laius ordered him exposed to die, only for him to be saved and adopted. After years passed, Oedipus fulfilled the prophecy by unwittingly killing Laius and marrying Jocasta without realizing she was his mother. When the horrifying truth emerged, it drove Jocasta to suicide and Oedipus to blind and exile himself in grief and shame. The tragic story shows the power of prophecy in Greek myths, which impels characters towards inevitable if awful fates, and also explores deep human vulnerabilities around power, knowledge, identity, and sin.