Sophocles’ ancient drama, written in 427 B.C., isn’t about a forbidden sex encounter; it considers a prophecy, a crime, a curse, a trial and a justice, of sorts. Making it tragic is the fact that Oedipus is tasked to investigate a murder that he has committed, but has no notion of what he has done. His father, Laius, is warned that his son will kill him. To avert this, Laius orders the infant killed; the child is instead left to die of exposure but is found.
Oedipus is, likewise, warned that he will kill his father and marry his mother. But when he kills an unidentified man after an argument, he has no idea that his personal pursuit of the murderer of Laius will lead him back to that moment—and cost him his life.
Though there is no trial per se, Sophocles uses the chorus as a de facto jury to explore the nature of justice and truth, which sometimes hide themselves within good intentions.
NOTE: With more than 100 plays to his credit, Sophocles (496-406 B.C.) was considered the greatest and most accomplished playwright of his time.