Oedipus the King “Ankle Theory” The classification of “Oedipus the King” as a tragedy requires it to meet certain criteria pertaining to the main character, Oedipus. Oedipus must have no control over the situation which he is in, he has to have been harmed by someone for doing nothing or doing what is just, and he must come to an end in which he is utterly lost, or dies without resolving the situation. I believe all three of these criteria can be found represented under a symbol, and that symbol is the piercing of his ankles as a child. The first of the criteria, having no control