What is an example of foreshadowing in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Answer 1

Oedipus' promise, his looks and his crime scene are examples of foreshadowing in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, foreshadowing suggests in advance what happens later in a story. It is a technique that often is used to warn of disaster. An early example is Theban King Oedipus' promise to identify and punish the guilty in King Laius' death be they in his own royal household. This anticipates that the guilty indeed will be found in the royal household.

Another example is Queen Jocasta's description of Oedipus as looking like Laius, her second husband. This anticipates that Laius and Oedipus relate to each other as father to son.

Still another example is the description of Laius' and Jocasta's infant son as having had a rod run through both ankles. Such an action is known to leave the victim with lame or swollen feet, which is the very meaning of Oedipus' name.

Yet another example is Jocasta's description of Laius as having met his death at the crossroads where three paths meet. Oedipus knows exactly where the crossroads is. It is precisely at that location that he confesses himself to have been the killer of four people. This anticipates that Laius' killer is his own lame, swollen footed son Oedipus.