How is Oedipus hot tempered?

Answer 1

An individual is described as 'hot tempered', because of a readily flaring show of anger. The description applies to Theban King Oedipus. One example involves an incident that happens before the action of the play. Oedipus' right-of-way is challenged at a crossroads where three paths meet. He's all by himself, and on foot. A stranger, who is part of a group of five, speaks churlishly and strikes Oedipus in passing. Oedipus immediately kills the stranger and three out of the other four members of the stranger's group. As it turns out, the stranger is his father, Theban King Laius.

Two other examples occur when Oedipus hears words that he doesn't want to hear. Teiresias the blind prophet is reluctant to share what he knows about Laius' death. Oedipus quickly becomes bullying, insulting, and threatening. So Teiresias finally fingers Oedipus as the killer. Oedipus becomes even worse in his insults and threats. He even goes so far as to accuse Teiresias of plotting his overthrow with Theban King Creon. He goes even further by accusing Creon, his brother-in-law and his uncle, of trying to grab the royal powers all to himself.