People of Thebes, my countrymen, look on Oedipus. He solved the famous riddle with his

brilliance, he rose to power, a man beyond all power. Who could behold his greatness without

envy? Now what a black sea of terror has overwhelmed him. Now as we keep our watch and

wait the final day, count no man happy till he dies, free of pain at last.


(from Oedipus the King by Sophocles)

What is the underlying theme of the passage?

the rise and fall of Oedipus

solving a famous riddle

envy of Oedipus

the happiness of the people of Thebes