What lesson does Oedipus Rex convey about knowledge?

The lesson that Oedipus Rex conveys about knowledge emphasizes that knowledge can lead to despair and suffering. Throughout the play, Oedipus seeks the truth about his origins and the circumstances surrounding the plague afflicting Thebes. His relentless pursuit of knowledge ultimately uncovers a horrifying reality: he has fulfilled the prophecy of killing his father and marrying his mother.

This realization brings about immense psychological and emotional turmoil, leading to his downfall. The dramatic irony reveals that while Oedipus believes he is striving for wisdom and truth, his discoveries lead not to enlightenment but to profound grief and tragedy. The play suggests that sometimes knowledge can carry burdensome consequences, transforming what could have been ignorance into a source of great suffering. This theme speaks to the complex nature of knowledge itself—though it is often sought as a positive force, it can also result in painful revelations that alter one's existence irrevocably.