The character of Oedipus in Sophocles' play "Oedipus Rex" is in a constant search for his true identity. He forms his identity as a hero that came from a distant land to save the city of Thebes from the Sphinx. He believes himself to be the son of the King and Queen of Isthmus. Throughout the play Oedipus discovers more and more that he is not who he thought himself to be. Oedipus becomes angry when people will not tell him information about his true identity. When a messenger does not answer Oedipus' questions Oedipus' tells the messenger,

"You are a dead man if i have to ask again."

Oedipus' deep desire to find his legal identity is very similar to the character of Jason Bourne in the Bourne movie series. Oedipus continues to search deeper and deeper until he discovers he is the son of King and Queen of Thebes. He realizes he has killed his father and married his mother. The discovery of his true genetic identity lead to the downfall of Oedipus.

In the born series Jason finds his freedom and solitude in the discovery of his legal identity. Oedipus, in contrast, gouges out his eyes and banishes himself from Thebes.

What drives people to know true or genetic identities and what causes the different reactions upon discovering their identities.

As a senior in high school, college essays take up a vast amount of time. Every college wants the same information in an essay: demonstrate who you are, what is your identity? I have been forced this year to really look at who I am and who I have become throughout the years. I have discovered a perception of my identity and it is distressing to see myself differently, whether others point out a flaw in my perception or I find myself reverting to old habits.

The detailed look into my identity began to beg the question: amidst all of the fast paced, often chaotic society, where identities can be changed at the push of a key board, how do we as individuals and people shape our identities?

In The Magus, by John Fowles, Nicholas is presented with many different identities formed by Mr. Conchis and his associates. Nicholas, or the reader for that matter, only discovers identities that are considered as deception. The “true” identities of this group are never revealed, however the reader paints a picture of who he believes them to be based on their deceptive actions.

The idea of a person not knowing their true, legal identity is played all over pop culture in movies such as the Bourne series. In these movies Jason Bourne loses the memory of his identity and begins a 3 movie long quest in which he discovers his legal identity. However, is his legal identity more important than his actions and what those portray?

Identity is a universal wonder that is constantly under scrutiny from not only others, but ourselves. There is a difference between who people want to be and who people become. How do people form who they become?