Story of Death:
- The story widely believed by the people of Thebes is that Oedipus was abandoned as a baby due to a prophecy that he would kill his father, Laius, and marry his mother, Jocasta.
- This version of events presents Oedipus as a victim of fate, doomed to unknowingly fulfill a tragic destiny.
What Oedipus Knew to be True:
- The truth that Oedipus discovers during the course of the play is fundamentally different from the story of death.
- He learns that he was not abandoned but instead given to a shepherd to be killed on Laius's orders, due to the same prophecy.
- However, the shepherd spared his life and gave him to another man, who raised Oedipus as his son.
- Oedipus's realization reveals that his actions were not the result of fate alone but rather the consequences of choices made by himself and others.
By uncovering the truth, Oedipus gains a deeper understanding of the intricate web of events that led to his tragic situation, highlighting the complexity of human agency in the face of prophecy.