Sphinx in Oedipus Rex
The Riddle of the Sphinx In the play Oedipus Rex, the Sphinx comes from Greek mythology. The Sphinx is a creature that causes famine and disease that will only stop if someone can solve her riddle. Many people can not solve it, but Oedipus has no problem doing so. ... The riddle then becomes a metaphor for Oedipus’ life and his revelation further supports the perspective of Oedipus as the archetypal tragic man. The Sphinx’s riddle consists of answering, “What has four legs in the morning, two legs in the afternoon, and three legs at night?” Oedipus answers, “a man” and saves the country of Thebes from disease and drought.