Final Answer
Upon discovering that he married his mother and had children with her, Oedipus experiences intense shock, horror, and guilt.
Step-by-step explanation
Oedipus' reaction to this revelation can be understood through an analysis of the play "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles. In the play, Oedipus is informed by a messenger that he is not the son of King Polybus and Queen Merope, but rather the child of King Laius and Queen Jocasta. This revelation leads Oedipus to question his entire life, as he realizes he has unknowingly killed his father, King Laius, and married his mother, Queen Jocasta.
As Oedipus confronts the truth about his lineage, he is overwhelmed with shock and disbelief. He questions the messenger, trying to make sense of the information he has been given, and demands proof to confirm the accuracy of these claims. Oedipus' shock is evident when he states, "Then I am a murderer, and my parents are not the parents I thought they were" (Sophocles 984-986). This realization shatters Oedipus' understanding of his identity and leads to a deep sense of horror and guilt.
Oedipus' guilt is further heightened when he learns that he has unknowingly married his mother and fathered four children with her. The thought of having committed incest and unknowingly raising his own children as his siblings fills him with a sense of shame and disgust. Oedipus' guilt drives him to take drastic action, as he blinds himself and leaves Thebes, the city he once ruled.
In conclusion, Oedipus' reaction to discovering he married his mother and bore children with her is characterized by shock, horror, and guilt. This reaction is a result of the revelation of his true parentage and the realization of the tragic prophecy that had foretold his fate.