Oedipus is a classic example of a man whose central problem is that he does not know himself because he thinks his adoptive parents are his biological parents, he unknowingly marries his own mother Jocasta, and kills his own father Laius. Oedipus was written by Sophocles in around 429 B.C. and is a tragedy. It is meant to be a Catharsis, which is a production that purges emotions such as pity for the protagonist, and fear that a similar situation might occur during the audience member’s lifetime. Throughout the play, the audience pities Oedipus for the misfortunes that befall him because of his ignorance, and feel fear that they might too one day suffer because of such ignorance. The majority of the problems that occur during Oedipus’ lifetime
