What is Laius' and Jocasta's responsibility in Oedipus' tragedy in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Answer 1

That they treat him badly as an infant, that neither one recognizes a family resemblance and that both lack caution are Jocasta's and Laius' responsibility in Oedipus' tragedy in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban monarchs Laius and Jocasta receive a frightening prophecy that their son will grow up to kill his father, a serious offense in ancient Greece. So they make arrangements to have the three-day-old infant killed, but neglect to check if that indeed happens. Oedipus survives and is raised as the heir apparent to Corinthian monarchs Polybus and Merope until he hears rumors to the contrary.

Oedipus then receives the unenviable prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother. He therefore runs off to the childless Theban royal house. On the way, an older version of himself starts a fight that ends in his own death. Once there, Oedipus marries Thebes' widowed queen, who is beautiful but old enough to be his mother.

Not once do Laius and Jocasta act on the family resemblance between father and son. Not once do Laius and Jocasta exert caution in events that may relate to the prophecy. For example, Laius needs to consider that a strong, young man who looks like him well may be his son about to kill in self-defense. Additionally, Jocasta needs to investigate her husband's death since it is brought about in the very way that the prophecy says that it will: unnaturally, as the result of violence. She also needs to think twice about why her second husband-to-be looks so much a younger version of her first husband and indeed is young enough to be her son.