What consequence did the Sphinx face after Oedipus solved her riddle?

Master AMSCO Literary Terms and Allusions Test. Enhance your literary skills with engaging flashcards and multiple choice questions. Equip yourself with tips and insights to ace the test now!

The consequence that the Sphinx faced after Oedipus solved her riddle is that she killed herself. In the myth, the Sphinx is a creature that posed a riddle to travelers, and those who could not answer were killed. When Oedipus encountered her, he successfully solved her riddle, which led to her despair and ultimately her death. This act of solving the riddle symbolizes Oedipus's intellect but also sets the stage for the tragic events that follow in his story. The Sphinx’s suicide serves as a thematic element, highlighting the interplay between knowledge and fate, as well as pointing to the tragic flaws that often characterize Greek tragedy.

The other options do not align with the established mythology surrounding Oedipus and the Sphinx. Immortality, punishment by the gods, or transformation into a statue are not outcomes designated for the Sphinx in classical narratives. Instead, her immediate reaction to being outsmarted was to take her own life, marking a significant turn in Oedipus's arc and the unfolding tragedy of his fate.

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