The Themes of Fate and Free Will in Oedipus the King - Critical Essay

Introduction

Oedipus the King: Fate vs. Free Will Sophocles, an ancient Greek writer, suggests that although there are many factors that cannot be controlled by mankind, we can make choices to affect our fate. Sophocles' play Oedipus The King makes clear that, although all people are born with a fate, they have the power to change its course and toll. Oedipus is the main character in the play. He is inspired by Sophocles' portrayal of fate and freewill and shows how the reader can change his fate through free will.

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Fate and Free Will in Oedipus the King

This play shows the relationship between man's free will and the cosmic order, or fate, that the Greeks believed governed the universe. Man had the freedom to choose, and was responsible for his actions. Oedipus was destroyed by both fate and free will. Oedipus was not controlled by fate. Oedipus shows his freedom of will in Thebes' plague scene at the beginning of the play. King Laius is the only way to stop it.

Creon is told by Oedipus that he curses Lauis' murderer to live in exile. "Now my curse upon the murderer. Whoever he was a single man unknown in his crime, or one among many let that man drag his life out in agony step by painful step." (Line 280-283). Oedipus informs Creon that whoever killed Lauis, he will send him to exile in mountains. This is a free will quote. He could have investigated the crime, but he was too quick to condemn the killer and unknowingly curse himself. This is an example of how, even though his fate is set in stone, he can change it.

Tragic Flaws and the Role of Gods

To be classified as tragic, Sophocles' play had to contain some kind of flaw. Tragic flaws refer to the characteristics that lead to the hero's downfall. Oedipus' pride and ignorance, insolence toward the gods, unrelenting search for the truth, and insolence were his fatal flaws. The chorus warns us about the dangers of pride and man's need for respect for gods. Oedipus ignored the chorus's words and showed great disdain towards Apollo and the Gods. And yet, the hand that struck was mine and mine alone. This passage reveals Oedipus' hatred towards the Gods and disrespect for their authority. However, it also shows that he was free to kill because of his free will. Oedipus also displayed free will by refusing to stop searching for the truth about Jocasta's parents and Lauis being Oedipus’ parents, even though Jocasta, his wife, had told him so. Stop searching in the name God, if your life is worth living, stop this search! My suffering is sufficient. Listen to me (Line 1603-1605). Oedipus responded, "Listen to me?" No. "I must know it all, and I must finally see the truth" (Line 1169-1170).

These quotes also prove Oedipus' free will because Jocasta does not want him to learn about his past. He insists on it and doesn't listen. Oedipus was determined to discover the truth about his past. He would have escaped the prophecy if he had listened to her. Oedipus was so preoccupied with King Laius' murder (himself), the events that occurred set the prophecy in motion. Oedipus was so busy trying escape the propacy that he allowed the propacy to catch up to him. You can't let your free will dictate your fate.

Oedipus's free choice did indeed influence his fate in this instance. Oedipus's free will allowed him to escape the evil for a while. However, it eventually caught up to him again. Oedipus was guilty of trying to attain the status of the Gods in order to escape his fate. The gods in Greek mythology are the all-powerful powers and no one can match them. Not royalty nor prophets. Oedipus tried to defy gods by claiming that they cursed him first. This was a serious sin in those days.

Personal Beliefs on Fate and Free Will

Oedipus, however, tears out his eyes at the end and accepts full responsibility for his actions. Oedipus' final act of destruction was a result of his free will. However, the tragic outcome of his fate was due to the role of gods in human affairs. This play is one that I can relate to because it's a true reflection of Sophocles. Here are a few examples of Oedipus' free will to determine his fate. My personal opinions on this topic are in agreement with mine.

Oedipus' Free Will and Its Consequences

Everything we do in our lives is entirely up to us. Like the Greeks, I believe that each person is born with a destiny, a predetermined course to life. However, once we are born, our fate (or destiny) can be changed as little or as often as we wish. We will not know our fate like Oedipus. However, that doesn't mean that we can't use our free will to change everything in our lives. Sometimes things are out of your control. However, when this happens, you have the option to choose the next steps. It is possible to choose what you do with your life after a particular situation.

To find out more about fate and free will, I look beyond the mythology of Greece and my personal opinions. "Free will is about choice. This means we have the power to choose, and we can then act on that choice. This assumes that cause and effect exist. The cause of our actions is determined by our choices. This is contrary to the idea of fate, which suggests that whatever our actions and choices are, something will happen.

But, believers in fate will insist that the fated outcome is due to some past (freely chosen), action, or even a previous incarnation. This interpretation makes it clear that fate and free choice contradict each other. While I believe you can still influence your fate, the definitions of both seem a bit hazy to me. Then I realized that fate is the outcome of the past. The present is the source of free will. This quote is a tie-in to my thesis and helps me understand fate and free will.

The question of fate vs. free choice has been raised numerous times. While I am aware of my position, it is not the only one. Some thinkers, based on Sophocles's metaphor, agree that Fate always wins. This means that people cannot control their fate. There is also the possibility that Sophocles is wrong in his belief that fate always wins. The play suggests that people don't have control over their fate, but that they do have the power and the ability to change it.

Finally, there are some who opt for Sophocles' last opinion. He believes that we can influence our fate. But Sophocles is wrong. It means that there are many factors beyond our control and we can't make decisions that will affect our fate. This view is tied into the play and I can understand why many people agree with it. Last, we can accept the view that the gods possess all-powerful power and that our small position is not sufficient to have any influence on destiny. Oedipus has free will and can make his own decisions. Creon was told by Oedipus that Lauis' killer was to be exiled.

Jocasta asked him to stop searching for the truth, but he refused. He stabbed himself in the eyes and blinded his self because he knew his past. All of these are examples of free will. He wanted to control his destiny and not be controlled by anyone else. His actions were his responsibility, which almost cost him his life and caused his exile from Thebes. I believe that fate can sometimes happen without your control and you cannot change it. You have the power to make your own decisions. If you make a mistake, you will be punished.

Conclusion

The chorus ends this tragedy by reminding the Greeks that humility and respect for the gods is the only way to happiness. They warn against taking anything for granted or you will be like Oedipus. "Look, you who live in Thebes. Oedipus was this man. The mighty king who understood the mystery of the riddle, was the favorite of fortune. You will see the events of his calamities. Being mortal, you must think about the last day of death."

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Essay:

How does Oedipus ultimately accept responsibility for his actions?

Oedipus takes responsibility for his actions at the conclusion of his play by tearing out both eyes. This gesture represents both his recognition of their responsibility as well as their acceptance of their consequences as a free will choice.

How does Oedipus demonstrate his free will in the play?

Oedipus displays his free will by cursing Laius' killer, investigating the crime scene, and continuing his search for truth about himself despite warnings to do so. These actions demonstrate his willpower to shape his destiny rather than let others dictate it for him.

What are Oedipus' tragic flaws, and how have they contributed to his downfall?

Oedipus' tragic flaws include pride, ignorance, insolence toward the gods, and an unyielding search for truth. His pride and disdain for their authority led him to defy it altogether while his unrelenting pursuit of it lead him into fulfilling prophecy and eventually his tragic fate.