Oedipus

Ethan Schiller

In Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres’s Oedipus and the Sphinx, Oedipus is illustrated on the outskirts of a cave carrying two spears and a red cloth while engaging with a sphinx. A man in the background is fleeing out of fear while looking back at Oedipus. Additionally, the foot of a human corpse can be spotted in the bottom left corner alongside some bones. Oedipus is depicted with intensity and concentration; he is looking right into the sphinx’s eyes and is giving her his full attention. Oedipus appears directly in front of the sphinx encompassed by light, while the sphinx is surrounded by darkness with light just beginning to crawl up her lower half. I believe that the contrast of the light overpowering the dark represents the authority of the prophecy, because this is the key moment where Oedipus seals his fate and fulfills his destiny. In order to understand the significance of this moment, the tragedy of Oedipus must be understood.

         The story begins with Oedipus’s parents: Laius and Jocasta (king and queen of Thebes). While pregnant with Oedipus, an oracle warned Laius that his son would murder him and marry Jocasta. Once Oedipus was born, Laius ordered a servant to leave Oedipus, “upon Mt. Cithaeron, with a spike driven through his ankles.” (Morford et al. 414) in hopes of ever seeing him again. The servant did not follow Laius’s command and instead gave him to a shepherd who brought him to Corinth to which Oedipus was taken in and raised by the King Polybus and Queen Merope. Once Oedipus became an adult, certain events led him to question his parents to which he visited the oracle of Delphi. Oedipus asked the oracle who is real parents were and the oracle responded by warning him that he should, “avoid his homeland, since he must murder his father and marry his mother.” (Morford et al. 415). Oedipus, believing that Polybus and Merope were his real parents, decided to travel to Thebes and never return. During his journey, Oedipus encountered a conflict with an old man in a chariot. The old man assaulted Oedipus to which he retaliated and struck the old man with a staff which caused the old man to fall off the chariot and die. Little did Oedipus know, this old man was in fact Laius.  When Oedipus finally arrived at Thebes, the city was plagued by a sphinx. The sphinx would only allow travelers pass if her riddle could be solved. The riddle had been unsolved and Creon, the brother of Jocasta offered, “the throne and his sister as wife to anyone who could [solve it].” (Morford et al. 416). The sphinx presented the riddle to Oedipus which was, “What is it that has one name that is four-footed, two-footed, and three-footed?” (Morford et al. 416). Oedipus answered correctly “Man” and the sphinx perished. Creon kept his promise and Oedipus became the new King of Thebes and married Jocasta.

 This depiction of Oedipus’s encounter with the sphinx symbolizes the immense power to which the prophecy possesses, the prophecy literally comes to light. The light shining over Oedipus covers most of the painting signifying the prophecy’s status because it is nearly complete. Additionally, the prophecy’s power is further emphasized by its colossal capability. For example, The dreadful feeling alone of this prophecy coming true spontaneously initiated key moments throughout the story: Laius tried to get rid of Oedipus out of fear and this same fear is what drove Oedipus to leaving Corinth which led to the events of Oedipus killing Laius. Oedipus’s focus seems to block out his surroundings, he is not concerned with the man running away  nor the corpse below him. This lack of attention can signify the greater unawareness to Oedipus’s knowledge of the prophecy; he is completely unaware with what his next action will result in. The moment Oedipus solved the riddle was the nail in the coffin, the last bit of darkness was extinguished and the prophecy was now in full swing. His solution was the direct reason that led him to marry Jocasta due to Creon’s promise.

Oedipus became a hero and at the same time, unknowingly committed acts of evil: murdering his father and incest with his mother. The sphinx, Creon’s promise, and the random decisions made by various characters all were a part of the unstoppable force induced from the prophecy.

Works Cited

Morford, Mark, et al. Classical Mythology. 11th edition. Oxford University Press, 2019

Ingres, Jean-Auguste-Dominique. “Oedipus and the Sphinx.” Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres | Oedipus and the Sphinx | NG3290 | National Gallery, London, https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/jean-auguste-dominique-ingres-oedipus-and-the-sphinx. Accessed 12 February. 2022