Greek Literature: Oedipus the King
             Background:
             Cadmus, the founder of Thebes, angered Apollo by killing the God's favorite snake. As punishment, the descendants of Cadmus lived under a curse prophesized to each generation by Apollo's oracle. According to the prophecy, if Laius, king of Thebes, had a son by Jocasta, his queen, that son would kill his father and marry his mother. In response to this prophecy, Laius had a rivet driven between his infant son, Oedipus' ankles, and instructed a household servant to leave him on Mt. Citheron to die from exposure to the elements. Instead, the servant pitied the infant, and without revealing his identity, gave him to a Shepard. In turn, the Shepard gave Oedipus, to Merope, the wife of Polybus, king of Corinth. They named him Oedipus, which means "swollen foot," for the wounds in his feet.
            
             As a young man, Oedipus was taunted for not being the true son of Polybus. Deeply troubled, Oedipus consulted the oracle of Apollo at Delphi about the accusation. But before he could ask this question, the priestess, Pythia, drove him away from Apollo's shrine, declaring that Oedipus would kill his father and marry his mother. Horrified, Oedipus fled Corinth, the home of his supposed parents, in attempt avoid fulfilling the prophecy.
            
             Not far from Delphi, Oedipus met a man in a chariot whose charioteer demanded that Oedipus move aside. When he refused the charioteer drove his horses forward, so that the wheel of the car grazed Oedipus' foot. As the chariot passed him, someone inside struck Oedipus on the head with a goad. Enraged, Oedipus killed the rider and Charioteer and continued on his way.
            
             Eventually, Oedipus found his way to Thebes. Upon arrival he found the city in turmoil. A female monster called the Sphinx was terrorizing the Thebans, eating them one by one. Before eating her victims, the Sphinx would ask them a riddle, What is it that goes on four legs in the m...