How does the riddle relate to a wiser Oedipus at end of

At the end of Oedipus Rex, Oedipus has discovered the truth about his past and his role in the death of his father, Laius, and the marriage to his mother, Jocasta. Through his suffering and self-realization, Oedipus has gained a deeper understanding of himself and the complexities of fate and human existence. The riddle presented earlier in the play, "What creature walks on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon, and three legs in the evening?" takes on a new significance in light of Oedipus's journey.

The answer to the riddle is "man." As a child, crawling on all fours (morning), man stands upright and walks on two legs (noon), and in old age, he may need the assistance of a cane or support (evening). This progression parallels Oedipus's own life journey. In his youth, he was full of pride and ambition, seeking to solve the riddle and save Thebes from the plague. At noon, he reached the height of his power and status as king, but his actions were unknowingly leading him toward disaster. In the evening of his life, Oedipus is humbled and broken by the revelation of his past, yet he also gains wisdom and self-awareness. He comes to understand that the riddle was not just a puzzle but a metaphor for the intricate and often painful journey of human life.

Oedipus's tragic downfall is ultimately a result of his hubris and desire to control his own fate. He believed he could outsmart fate and escape the prophecy that foretold his actions. However, through his suffering and downfall, Oedipus learns that true wisdom lies not in trying to control events but in accepting one's own limitations and understanding the deeper forces at play. The riddle, with its changing nature and the element of time, serves as a poignant reminder of the transient and unpredictable nature of human existence and the importance of humility in the face of命运和神圣.