Why does Oedipus wish his life had ended on the mountain?

Oedipus expresses a desire for his life to have ended on the mountain primarily because he feels an overwhelming sense of guilt and remorse for the suffering he has caused others, including the deaths of his parents and the chaos that has ensued in Thebes due to his actions. He is tormented by his tragic fate and the realization of the prophecies that have unfolded, leading to the devastation of his family and the city. In wishing for his life to have ended in that moment, he reflects a profound regret for the pain he inflicted, particularly upon his children and the citizens of Thebes. His plea is tied deeply to his wish to relieve others from the burdens that his existence has brought upon them, as he grapples with the consequences of his actions.

The other options, while they touch on themes present in the play, do not encapsulate Oedipus’s emotional state at that point in the narrative as accurately as the desire to avoid causing further pain.