Beginning of Essay
In Sopohocles' tragedy "Oedipus the King", Oedipus proclaims " it was I who have pronounced these curses on myself" (Madden 37). With this announcement, Oedipus is aware that his pursuit for order has led to a life of chaos. The central thesis is that the presumpt ....

Middle of Essay
.... [her]" (Madden 17) because she devourers all who fail to answer her riddle. Her domination of Thebes causes havoc and melancholic responses that are directly related to the degree of her physical chaos. The confrontation between Oedipus and the sphinx ends with the latter destroying herself, "the winged maiden came against him: he was seen then to be skilled" (Madden 29), due to Oedipus answering her riddle. By destroying herself, the sphinx makes it possible for the oracles to come true. With her reign of terror at an end, the sphinx makes it possible for Oedipus to continue with his life in pursuit of order. Chaos is established because of the op ....