When most read "Oedipus the King" by Sophocles, the word "hedonistic" rarely comes to mind. However, this one word describes the entire play, the character of Oedipus, and modern day society. Hedonism is the belief in pleasure as the highest good, which often involves the pursuit of false happiness and has many repercussions in the life of a person or even society. The final warning of the Chorus ties in with Catholicism, showing when a man can be happy. Through his pursuit to obtain that which is advantageous to himself, Oedipus becomes his own downfall, and the Chorus teaches society the limitations of happiness.