How is Oedipus an archetype in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Answer 1

An archetype is an original type of some kind among people and things. Theban King Oedipus well may be an archetype of a high ranking individual who commits the particular incest that he does. Egyptian pharaohs are known to have married their half sisters. But perhaps no ruler before Oedipus may have been known for having married his own mother. And perhaps no other ruler may have been known for the unknowing murder of his own father and king.

Additionally, Oedipus may be the archetype of exile instead of death for a ruler. Indeed, he well may have been the first king known to have been exiled. His fate may have set in motion an alternative other than death to tyrannical rule. His successor, Theban King Creon, suffers the same fate.

In fact, the play's author, Sophocles [496 B.C.E.* - 406 B.C.E.], may have been born in the year in which Lucius Tarquinius Superbus died. Superbus became infamous throughout the ancient world for his tyrannical rule. As a consequence, he also became infamous for his subjects' revolt and his own overthrow. He spent the last 13 years of his life in exile.

*Before the Christian Era