Which character is known for unknowingly committing patricide and marrying his mother?

The character known for unknowingly committing patricide and marrying his mother is Oedipus. This tragic narrative is central to the myth of Oedipus, who, unaware of his true parentage, kills his father, King Laius, and later marries his mother, Jocasta. This story embodies key themes of fate, free will, and the inescapability of prophecies, as Oedipus was foretold by the Oracle of Delphi to kill his father and marry his mother.

Oedipus' journey begins with him fleeing his home to avoid such a fate, only to fulfill the prophecy despite his efforts to change his destiny. This underscores the tragic irony of his character and highlights the tragic genre’s exploration of human suffering and moral dilemmas. The specific actions of patricide and incest create a profound sense of both horror and sympathy in the narrative, making Oedipus a quintessential tragic hero in literature.

Other characters like Theseus, Achilles, and Hector do not share this tragic fate or theme. Each of them has their own distinct stories and conflicts, which do not involve the specific elements of patricide and incest that define Oedipus's tragedy.