Final Answer:
The correct answer is (a) The death of Oedipus and the blinding of Jocasta.
Step-by-step explanation:
The passage refers to a disaster that ""swallows up a man and wife together."" This calamity aligns with the tragic fate of Oedipus and Jocasta in the context of the play. Oedipus, having unknowingly fulfilled the prophecy of killing his father and marrying his mother, faces the consequences of his actions. The death of Oedipus and the blinding of Jocasta is the specific disaster alluded to in the passage.
In Sophocles' play ""Oedipus Rex,"" the tragic resolution unfolds as Oedipus discovers the truth about his identity and the dire prophecy. The calamity of Oedipus and Jocasta's fate is symbolized by the disaster mentioned in the passage. Oedipus, in his anguish upon learning the truth, blinds himself, and Jocasta, upon realizing her incestuous relationship with Oedipus, meets a tragic end. The phrase ""swallows up a man and wife together"" encapsulates the intertwined and tragic demise of Oedipus and Jocasta.
In conclusion, the disaster mentioned in the passage directly points to the death of Oedipus and the blinding of Jocasta. This interpretation aligns with the dramatic events in ""Oedipus Rex,"" emphasizing the tragic consequences of Oedipus' unwitting actions and fulfilling the prophecy that foretold his tragic destiny."