Oedipus, the king of Thebes, is told by an oracle that he is destined to kill his father and marry his mother. Horrified by this prophecy, Oedipus leaves Thebes and travels to Corinth, where he grows up believing that the king and queen of Corinth are his parents. Years later, Oedipus meets a traveler who tells him that his parents are not who he thinks they are. Oedipus sets out to discover the truth about his past and his destiny.
Along his journey, Oedipus meets Tiresias, a blind prophet who reveals that Oedipus is the son of Laius, the former king of Thebes, and Jocasta, Laius's wife. Tiresias also reveals that Oedipus killed Laius and married Jocasta, thus fulfilling the prophecy years ago.
Horrified by this revelation, Oedipus gouges out his eyes and leaves Thebes to wander the wilderness for the rest of his life. Jocasta hangs herself in shame, and Oedipus's sons, Eteocles and Polynices, kill each other in a battle for the throne of Thebes.