Oedipus does
not take the throne by force. Jocasta, the
Queen of Thebes is a widow. (No one at this time—including Oedipus—realizes that Oedipus has
killed Laius).
The people of Thebes have honored Oedipus. The Sphinx
had terrorized them for a long time: merchants and travelers were unable to pass by the creature
on their journeys unless they could answer the monster's riddle. When Oedipus does so, he makes
it safe for people to travel and trade in safety once more.
He is
praised by the people of Thebes; without a king, they want Oedipus to marry Jocasta and be their
king. In light of all that has happened, I believe that Oedipus would have had the right to the
throne in any event: what makes his position untenable (impossible to defend) is that he has
married his mother, committing incest. Oedipus is a noble man and realizes the horror of what he
has done, thereby punishing himself and leaving Thebes, passing the throne to his uncle
Creon.
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