Theme Of Fate In Sophocles Oedipus The King

Sophocles’ Oedipus the King tells of the mysteries involving the royal family of Thebes. It depicts Oedipus’ mission to uncover the murderer of Laius, while in turn discovering the unfortunate truths of his reality. As the play progresses, the portrayal of the mighty, proud king intensifies, until the moment of truth drastically changes him into a lowly criminal who pleads for pity. It is through this portrayal that Sophocles uses the connection between hubris and anagnorisis to communicate the lesson that the thought of an avoidable fate, influences the fate's severity in one's life.
This theme of an avoidable fate is initially established through the family's belief in their achievement of arete, prompting their descent into hubris. Arete refers to the state of modesty; when …show more content…
The state of hubris entails the inability to recognize personal limitations and the absence of the humble need to improve. The arrogance and ignorance in his own ability were clearly shown when Oedipus announced to the city, “Now you will have me on your side, as is only right. I shall be the defender of Thebes, and Apollo’s champion, too. I shall rid us of this pollution,” Due to his belief that he has escaped his dreaded prophecy, he has become arrogant to believe that he has the power to save everyone, and is ignorant to the extent of his own true abilities. Furthermore, the theme is found through Jocasta where she too displays her state of hubris when she comforts Oedipus by requested him to not “pay any attention to prophecies.” By saying this, Jocasta is undermining the credibility of the gods by labeling them as liars. She believes she is correct in the advice she gives, not the prophets or the god’s prophecies. She fails to remain humble and follow the orders of the gods. The state of being both ignorant or arrogant in one's abilities, sets up the mindset that they are