The dramatic irony of Oedipus is that he doesn't know who he is. The reason receives somewhat less attention than expected: Oedipus' parents tried to have him murdered as a baby:
This is the Son of Kings
"Nor is that other point to be passed over, that the Sphinx was subdued by a lame man with club feet . . ."
- Sir Francis Bacon
It was night in Thebes and the cry of a newborn echoed in the halls of the king. He waited, as custom prescribed, for the midwife's announcement. But when she arrived, she stared boldly at him for awhile. Finally she said, "Somethin's wrong with 'is foot."
The king hastened to the royal bed, where he found the queen lying with her back to the naked infant. "Do what you have to do," she murmured.
"I'll have Shepherd take it to the Grove," he said.
It was not yet dawn when Shepherd arrived at the Grove of the Lost. Unseen predators coughed beyond the lamp as he laid the tiny bundle on the bloodstained rock.
The story would have ended there, but as Shepherd made to depart he heard the infant sobbing quietly, hopelessly to itself. He took the child forthwith to his parents' home in a mountain village.
"Take care," he told them. "This is the son of kings."
"What shall we call him?" his father asked. But just then Shepherd's mother, having unwrapped the child, exclaimed, "Oh, the poor baby, his poor foot's all swollen."
"Very well," his father decided, "we'll call him Haltfoot."
When he was become a man, Haltfoot set off for Thebes with his most trusted companions, for he would look upon the faces of his parents. As they entered a crossroads, with the towers of the city gleaming in the distance, a mounted nobleman ordered them to step aside. But Haltfoot, having recognized the king from his likeness on a coin, said "It is written, A commoner shall pass, and none shall deny him."
At this the king made to run him through with his spear. But Haltfoot, stepping aside, seized the spear as it passed and threw the king into the road.
"Take him home," he instructed his companions. "Let him know the village where a prince spent his youth."
Whereupon the king asked, "Who are you?"
"I am your son, whom you sent to the Grove."
In the cool of the evening Haltfoot passed through the gates of Thebes and found the restless queen pacing the byways of the market.
Dawn was brightening the eastern horizon when Haltfoot rose from the royal bed. But the queen detained him, asking "Why did old Shepherd start when he saw you last night?" Haltfoot instead replied, "Do you know where the king is?"
"He rides to the royal estates.
"You are very like him in form," she added. "Who are you?"
But Haltfoot commanded, "Look upon me."
Now it was full day, and an unpitying sun blazed on the cold stones.
"I too am of royal blood," said Haltfoot. "Look upon me and know who I am."
The queen stared wildly at him. "Say no more," she cried. "By the Merciless, say no more."
