What Is the Theme of “Oedipus Rex”?

By Staff WriterLast Updated March 30, 2020

“Oedipus Rex,” otherwise known as “Oedipus the King,” focuses on themes of fate, choice, free will, determination, power and memory. The play focuses on the life of Oedipus, King of Thebes, and the unraveling of his life as his true identity, and that of his wife, Jocasta, is revealed.

Queen Jocasta was initially married to King Laius, and the two received a prophecy that Laius would be killed by his son. Laius abandoned his and Jacosta’s son, assuming the problem was taken care of, but that child was rescued and grew into Oedipus, who ended up fulfilling the prophecy by killing his father and marrying his mother, who didn’t initially recognize him.