# Oedipus Rex — Reading Questions & Answers

> Reading questions for Oedipus Rex by Sophocles.

- [What is the prophecy in Oedipus Rex?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_rex_se/questions/what-is-the-prophecy-in-oedipus-rex.md): The core prophecy, repeated in different voices, is that Oedipus will kill his father and marry his mother. Laius and Jocasta hear it before Oedipus is born; the exposed infant survives and is raised by Polybus and Merop
- [Who is Oedipus?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_rex_se/questions/who-is-oedipus.md): Oedipus is king of Thebes, famous for defeating the Sphinx and saving the city. At the start of Oedipus Rex he is a confident ruler responding to a plague by hunting Laius’s murderer. He is also, unknown to himself, the 
- [Why does Oedipus investigate Laius’s murder?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_rex_se/questions/why-does-oedipus-investigate-laius-murder.md): Oedipus investigates because Apollo has linked the plague to unpunished blood — Thebes will not heal until Laius’s killer is found and driven out. As king, Oedipus accepts that duty publicly. He summons Teiresias, questi
- [Why does Oedipus blind himself?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_rex_se/questions/why-does-oedipus-blind-himself.md): Oedipus blinds himself when he can no longer deny that he killed Laius and married Jocasta, his mother. Sight in the play has meant arrogant clarity; after Jocasta hangs herself, he takes brooches from her robe and gouge
- [Why does Oedipus accuse Creon?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_rex_se/questions/why-does-oedipus-accuse-creon.md): Oedipus accuses Creon of conspiracy because fear and pride outrun evidence. When Teiresias implicates Oedipus in Laius’s death, Oedipus assumes the blind prophet must be bribed. Creon is nearby in power, calm where Oedip
- [How does Oedipus Rex end?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_rex_se/questions/how-does-oedipus-rex-end.md): Oedipus Rex ends with Jocasta dead by her own hand, Oedipus blinded, and Creon stepping in to govern Thebes. The messenger narrates Jocasta’s suicide and Oedipus’s self-blinding; Oedipus then begs exile to lift the plagu

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