A son who kills his father, marries his mother, and is both father and brother to his mother's children. Oedipus, which means "swollen foot", grows up with adoptive parents and an ominous prophecy at his heels. The frightening story of Oedipus and his indescribable fate unfolds in the Greek theatrical production of Oedipus Rex. Oedipus' horrible fate is inevitable due to the unfavorable traits given to him by the author Sophocles. Throughout the Oedipus Rex, Sophocles masterfully weaves Oedipus' fatal traits such as naivety, arrogance, and curiosity into the intriguing plot. The first of Oedipus' fatal traits is naivety, a flaw that leads him to unconsciously weave his inevitable web of complications. While searching for Laius' killer, Creon advises Oedipus to ask the blind prophet Tiresias for his thoughts. Tiresias and Oedipus get into an argument after the prophet accuses Oedipus as the murderer, and Oedipus retaliates by calling the blind man a fool. Tiresias responds with “A fool? Your parents thought I was quite sane." To which Oedipus then replies “My parents again! - Wait: who were my parents” (Sophocles, Oedipus Rex. 1.1.423-424)? Oedipus' naivety regarding to his parents plays an important role in his downfall because he does not know that Laius and Jocasta were his real parents. If he knew at that time, then Oedipus might realize that Tiresias is right and that he is indeed the murderer. further proof of Oedipus' naivety occurred in the second scene of the first part, when Oedipus returns after his conversation with Tiresias and believes that Creon is an enemy by saying “You speak well: there is a fact but I find it difficult / To learn from the deadliest enemy I have” (Sophocles, Oedipus Rex. 1.2.5...... middle of the sheet ...... Oedipus' reaction shows that he is curious about what the Oracle says of Laius' murderer. His constant insistence and incessant search for the truth lead to the answer that he is the murderer. Oedipus' damaging traits of naivety, arrogance, and curiosity blend with each other to understand his horrific, inevitable fate. With the characteristics given to him, Oedipus is destined to have the fate he receives, but what would become of him if he were not arrogant. What if he's not curious or naive? Would Oedipus still end up with his eyes gouged out? outside and his subjects despise his name? Even the author himself, Sophocles, may not know whether the tragic hero will ever break free from the inevitable web of his destiny. Works Cited Albert, Susan Wittig "Sophocles' Oedipus Rex World Literature." Austin, TX: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2001. 301-71.