Free Will In Oedipus The King

Fate is a topic that is suppose to explain what each individual will do in their lifetime. So, with that in mind, how do you know if you have control over your life or if you are subject to live your life directed by some force beyond your power? For the king of Thebes, forces beyond his control, have directed his life from the day he was born. His biological parents abandoned Oedipus, the king when he was a child. They did this in response to Apollo’s prophecy that Oedipus would grow to live a horrific fate causing his parents to attempt to murder their child. All this happened while he was still a baby. He somehow managed to survive and lived with other parents who are also responsible for Oedipus’ life because they were dishonest. His adoptive parents never told him the truth about his ancestry, information that could have changed and altered his fate. Although he had no choice in what happened to him, Oedipus still …show more content…
He makes sure to get many sources before believing in the prophecy that would strip Oedipus of his throne and exile him from Thebes. He is always very determined and “must know everything” (1347). This stubbornness does not always prove to be a good trait, especially when it becomes more of denial. One thing Oedipus does do well is taking responsibility for his actions and crimes. He even says, “I killed my father, I am polluted and unclean. / I must die” (1872-1873). In this statement, he admits his past wrongdoings and accepts his own repercussions. He controls his life, or so he believes he does and argues so fervently. When talking about the Sphinx, Oedipus remarks how, “ [he] silenced her, [he] destroyed her, using [his] wits, not [his] omens” (538). He takes pride in his accomplishments making them his own and not saying he was aided by an upper power. He owns up to his crimes in an attempt to gain some control over his life but those choices still lead him to his horrific