Legal Definitions - patricide

Definition: Patricide is the act of killing one's own father. It can also refer to a person who kills their father. This is similar to parricide, which is the act of killing a close relative, usually a parent.

Examples:

• Hamlet commits patricide when he kills his father, King Hamlet, in Shakespeare's play.
• Oedipus unknowingly commits patricide when he kills his father, King Laius, in Greek mythology.

These examples illustrate the definition of patricide as the act of killing one's own father. In both cases, the sons are responsible for the death of their fathers. This is a serious crime and is considered one of the most heinous acts a person can commit.