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   epollock Teacher
   High School - 12th Grade

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   vic3kia33,

   In the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, it is revealed, though not immediately, that Oedipus had killed his father Laius. At first Oedipus blames thieves or strangers or conspirators in Thebes (142). Then at the beginning of line 431, he imagine's a conspiracy between Tiresias and Creon to being about his downfall. His powerful emotions have begun to overwhelm him and his paranoia sets in.

   Jocasta relates what the oracle told Laius in lines 784-800. When Jocasta mentions the "place where three roads meet," this information startles Oedipus, because she thinks she is telling him this to allay his fears, but this is the beginning of the road to his bitter end.

   In lines 819-830, Oedipus realizes he has killed Laius.

   Sources:

   http://www.enotes.com/oedipus

   http://www.literatureclassics.com/etexts/78/

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   Posted by epollock on Monday June 1, 2009 at 10:58 PM