Nicole Page-Smith, 2015
When we consider the riddle of the Sphinx, it takes us to monstrous proportions. So, we further consider the mythological monster in Ancient Greek mythology. The Sphinx is considered as a monster with human face: that of a woman, body of a lion; that of a lioness cub, eagle wings to the hawk wing with the the sting of a serpent's tail. The Sphinx, guarding the Greek city of Thebes, asked the following riddle, to travellers to allow them free passage and devoured anyone unable to answer correctly: "Which creature has one voice and yet becomes four footed and two footed and three footed?" The riddle has us crawling around all fours until lunch, obeying the Sun god until dusk and then, journeying on our pilgrimage home. So, given the location of the Sphinx, what was the entrance key or answer to the riddle of the Sphinx? Whether or not you are good for business or simply human. The monster of the Sphinx does recommend what it is to be a human being and for Oedipus the answer to the riddle of the Sphinx was "man". When we have accomplished something of note, we feel as proud as the goddess lion head will allow, as playful as a lion cub and our wings take us to Heaven for the sting in our tail. The Sphinx with the serpent's tail lost her head.
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