Oedipus, meaning "swollenfoot", grew up as the Prince of Corinth. He was born as the son of King Laius and Queen Jocasta in Thebes. The couple was warned by an Oracle that if they have a child and it will be a boy who will murder Laius. They took a chance and had a son. To prevent fate, they pierce their son's feet and leaves him with a shepherd in the moutains. The shepherd is to wait until the child dies.Pitying the baby, he gives him to a herdsman who takes him to the King Polybus and Queen Marope of Cornith. Since they could not have their own children, the couple adopted the poor misfortunate child.

As a young man, one night an older man said he was not the son of the King and Queen. Puzzeled, he went to Delphi where he learns the prophecy of his fate-to murder his father and marry his mother. Determined to stop the horror of his destiny, he runs away into the direction of Thebes. Before he reaches the city, at crossroads he encounters an old man in a chariot with guards. In anger the other man insults and strikes at Oedipus. Oedipus then kills the man and his servants, but one ran away.

When Oedipus gets into town, he discovers that Thebes is threatened by the Sphinx and that the King is dead. Thebes claims him a hero when he saves the city by answering the Sphinx riddle. The city proclaims him the new King and he marries Queen Jocasta.They have four children: Polynices, Eteocles 1, Ismene 2, and Antigone 2.

Years later, a plague comes to destroy the city of Thebes. An oracle is given saying that when King Laius's murderer is punished then Thebes is saved. King Oedipus tracks down the killer who turns out to be himself. His wife hangs herself and he blinds himself.

Fate: something that unavoidably befalls a person; that which is inevitably predetermined:destiny; death, destruction, or ruin.

-Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary

King Laius and Queen Jocasta tried to change fate: Their Oracle was that if they had a child, it will be a son who will murder the father. The couple took a chance and had a baby. They had a shepherd take him to the mountains and wait till he died.

Oedipus's destiny: murder father and marry mother

Oedipus tried to change his horrid fortune by running away.

Destruction: wife Jocasta commits sucide, Oedipus blinds him self, and children are cursed