Final answer:
In 'Oedipus Rex,' Oedipus wrongly assumes Merope is his biological mother, but a messenger reveals that he was adopted, which leads to his tragedy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Oedipus assumes that Merope, the wife of King Polybus of Corinth, is the mother who raised him. The context of this assumption is deeply rooted in the classic Greek tragedy ‘Oedipus Rex’ by Sophocles, where Oedipus is unaware of his true heritage.
After being told by a messenger that Merope is not his biological mother, Oedipus is initially relieved since it undermines the prophecy that he would marry his own mother. However, the layers of the prophecy unfold as he learns he was adopted after being found injured in the woods by a shepherd.
This revelation is crucial, as it leads Oedipus to understand that his efforts to thwart the Oracle's prophecy were in vain and ultimately contributed to its fulfillment.