The Theban Plays are a trilogy of ancient Greek tragedies written by the playwright Sophocles. They consist of three plays: Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone. These works explore themes of fate, free will, and the consequences of human actions, focusing on the tragic story of the House of Thebes. The central character, Oedipus, is a tragic hero who unknowingly fulfills a prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother. The plays delve into the complexities of family, morality, and the struggle against destiny, making them significant contributions to classical literature and drama.