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.