Oedipus Rex is a classic Greek tragedy by Sophocles that tells the harrowing story of King Oedipus of Thebes. When a plague strikes his city, Oedipus vows to find and punish the cause, which is revealed to be the unsolved murder of the previous king, Laius. As he investigates, Oedipus slowly uncovers the horrifying truth: he himself is the killer, and more shockingly, Laius was his father, and he has unknowingly married his own mother, Jocasta. These events fulfill a prophecy Oedipus tried to avoid his entire life.

The play explores powerful themes of fate, free will, and the limits of human knowledge. Despite Oedipus’s intelligence and determination, he is powerless against the destiny foretold before his birth. His eventual realization leads to Jocasta’s suicide and Oedipus blinding himself in despair. Oedipus Rex remains one of the most impactful tragedies in literature, highlighting the tragic consequences of human pride and the relentless force of fate.