Oedipus the King: Free Will or Fate? A common debate that still rages today is whether we as a species have free will or if some divine source, some call it fate, controls our destiny. The same debate applies to Oedipus the King and Oedipus at Colonus. Does Oedipus control his actions, or are they predetermined by the gods? It’s that question that makes Oedipus a classic, and many different people think many different things. With all the oracles and talk of prophecies, its obvious that
Words: 618 - Pages: 3
Oedipus the King: Free Will or Fate? A common debate that still rages today is whether we as a species have free will or if some divine source, some call it fate, controls our destiny. The same debate applies to Oedipus the King and Oedipus at Colonus. Does Oedipus control his actions, or are they predetermined by the gods? It’s that question that makes Oedipus a classic, and many different people think many different things. With all the oracles and talk of prophecies, its obvious that
Words: 618 - Pages: 3
Sophocles' Oedipus the King, the themes of fate and free will are very strong throughout the play. Only one, however, brought about Oedipus' downfall and death. Both points could be argued to great effect. In ancient Greece, fate was considered to be a rudimentary part of daily life. Every aspect of life depended and was based upon fate (Nagle 100). It is common belief to assume that mankind does indeed have free will and each individual can decide the outcome of his or her life. Fate and free will both
Words: 1496 - Pages: 6
dictionary defines fate as an inevitable and often adverse outcome, condition, or end. This therefore goes against the definition of free will, the ability to make choices that are not controlled by fate or God.This is a constant theme in Oedipus the King where we question if his path was pre-determined or chosen willingly. “Listen to me and learn some peace of mind:no skill in the world,nothing human can penetrate the future.”(780-782; Fagles). This is a quote derived from Jocasta who is Oedipus’ wife and
Words: 1206 - Pages: 5
Free will in Oedipus Rex In terms of their fate, characters in Oedipus Rex by Sophocles have very little control over their lives and can do little to prevent major events in the story to influence the fulfilment of prophecies. The play itself follows the king of Thebes, Oedipus, who realizes in his quest to save the city that he has fulfilled a prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother, a fate he had been trying to escape his whole life. One important theme in this story is the
Words: 993 - Pages: 4
Date: 12/10/08 Title: Oedipus the King: A Story of Fate Thesis: “Oedipus the King” by is generally a story about fate as it deals with its unalterable nature and the consequences that come with the attempt to change it. I. Fate and its Characteristics A. Characteristics of Fate 1. Fate as controlled by external force 2. Insignificance of man in relation to fate B. Fate according to Sophocles 1. Determined nature of fate 2. Freedom
Words: 3315 - Pages: 14
idea of fate has existed alongside humans since before the creation of even the most primitive, simplistic religions. Throughout history, there has always been a clear divide between those who believe in fate and destiny, and those who believe in their own free will. The struggle to prove or disprove the existence of fate is one that has been present along with the idea of fate since its beginning. In Oedipus the King, Sophocles not only clearly shows his own opinion on the existence of fate, but also
Words: 2174 - Pages: 9
Composition II 24 March 2013 Oedipus’s Downfall The downfall of Oedipus is entirely the responsibility of the gods and not himself. A plague has stricken Thebes. It is said plague will end when the murderer of Laius, former king of Thebes, is caught and expelled; the murderer is within the city. Oedipus, current King of Thebes, vows to find the murderer, and put an end to the terrible plague. Oedipus is driven by the fate intended by the gods, and there is nothing he can do to prevent the horrible,
Words: 1122 - Pages: 5
July 2012 ] The Fate and Free Will of Man Throughout time there has always seemed to be an argument over the question of man being able to control his own destiny by free will or if he must just accept the fate that was laid before him from the Gods above? In the Greek Tragedy Oedipus the King, the play clearly illustrates the struggle and tension between the two conflicting entities between fate and free will. Fate represents the might of the Gods and is prearranged while free will has consequences
Words: 449 - Pages: 2
In Sophocles‘ Oedipus Rex, many mishaps and mistakes troubled the character Oedipus. He was a ruler with a kingdom in distress. As a ruler he promised to his people that he would do whatever he could to help them. However, his name of Oedipus nor the decisions he made ever really helped his people. Oedipus was a man cursed with a fate and remarked that the god Apollo brought his sick fate upon him but the blinding hand was his own. Fate took over Oedipus’ life, but free will led to his destruction
Words: 505 - Pages: 3
