Oedipus

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According to Greek mythology, the Sphinx, a creature that is part woman, part bird, and part lion,
caused famine and disease in Thebes that could be ended only when someone solved her riddle.
Oedipus traveled to Thebes and answered the riddle correctly. The citizens of Thebes consider
him a hero because he restored harmony to their kingdom. Sophocles alludes to the riddle of the
Sphinx several times in his play, Oedipus Rex. Since the riddle is a metaphor for Oedipus' life, it is
ironic that he was able to answer the question. His revelation of the riddle of the Sphinx further
supports the perspective of Oedipus as the archetypal tragic man.

The sphinx asks, "What has four legs in the morning, two legs in the afternoon, and three legs at
night?" Oedipus correctly answers "man", saving Thebes from the terrible drought and disease
brought about by the horrible creature. The different times of day mentioned in the question
actually represent different stages in life. In the morning, or childhood, humans crawl on their hands
and knees. In the afternoon, or adulthood, humans walk on their own two feet, and at night, which
represents old age, many humans rely on the aid of a walking stick, which represents a third leg.
When the reader interprets the symbolism of the riddle, it becomes a metaphor for Oedipus' life.
Like every human, he begins life as a baby, crawling on his hand and knees. As he grows older, he
walks on two feet, becoming an independent man, and ruler of Thebes. In his old age, Oedipus
must rely on a walking stick because he is blind. Like all huma...