Jocasta married Oedipus because she believed he was a stranger, unaware of his true identity as her son.
The story of Oedipus Rex, a Greek tragedy by Sophocles, revolves around the tragic fate of Oedipus, who unwittingly fulfills a prophecy by killing his father and marrying his mother.
Here's a breakdown of the events leading to their marriage:
- Oedipus was abandoned as a baby: Oedipus was abandoned by his parents, King Laius and Queen Jocasta, due to a prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother.
- Oedipus raised by another family: He was found and raised by the King and Queen of Corinth, believing them to be his real parents.
- Oedipus leaves Corinth: Oedipus, upon learning of a prophecy that he would kill his father, left Corinth to avoid fulfilling it.
- Oedipus meets Laius and kills him: He encountered Laius, his biological father, on the road and killed him in a fit of anger, unaware of the man's identity.
- Oedipus arrives in Thebes: Oedipus then arrived in Thebes, where he solved the riddle of the Sphinx and was crowned King.
- Oedipus marries Jocasta: He married Jocasta, the widowed queen, unaware that she was his mother.
The tragic irony lies in the fact that Oedipus's actions, driven by a desire to avoid fulfilling the prophecy, ultimately led to its fulfillment.
Their union, though seemingly a happy marriage, was built on a foundation of ignorance and fate, ultimately leading to their downfall and the revelation of their incestuous relationship.
