The Oedipus story is truly timeless. It has continued to horrify and fascinate generations of readers and audience members for thousands of years. Chances are your students will be no different. Just like all those who have come before them, they’ll get caught up in the bitter ironies of the tragedy of Oedipus.

The sensational aspects of the story alone will undoubtedly garner your students’ attention. This play is about a guy who unknowingly kills his father and sleeps with his mother. Then, when he finds out the horrible truth, he gouges out his own eyes. That’s more sex and violence than pretty much any movie we’ve seen lately. Of course, if the play was only sex and violence, we highly doubt it would’ve stood the test of time.