Control. The power to influence or direct people 's behavior or the course of events. In the novel Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, a primary question that arises in the mind of readers is the scale of control one has on the actions of their lives. Aristotle believed human actions to be led by seven causes: chance, nature, compulsions, habit, reason, passion or desire, of which three causes are not in the control of a being. For one, Sophocles explains the element of compulsion in relation to his pride. Correspondingly, his pride compels him to believe his decisions reasoned and rational, which is far from reality. Furthermore, habit, an unthinking action which is familiar further comments upon the limited personal choice in one’s life. For Oedipus,
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For instance, Teiresias periphrastically communicates the assassin of Laius to be in close proximity of Oedipus: “Who murdered Laius-- that man is here” (Sophocles 31), and continues on to say that that “he [the assassin] shall soon prove to be a Theban, native born” (Sophocles 31). This quotation implies that Oedipus is still oblivious to the murderer of his father, as he unknowingly continues to converse with Teiresias. As a result, Oedipus was merely an accomplice of destiny in the murder his father Laius. Moreover, Oedipus is acquainted with the predominant nature of his life by a passing shepherd: “If you are the man he says you are, believe me you were born for pain” (Sophocles, 45). Once again, Oedipus is brought forthright with reality. Noting the informative tone of the dialogue, readers can conclude the presence of determinism in the fate of Oedipus of a lack of insight that could be offered; thus indirectly commenting upon the limited authority one has one has on their fate. The inability of Oedipus to transform his destiny obtrudes the readers to question the value of personnel evaluation in the verdict of their actions. Lastly, his wife Jocasta too forewarns of the prevailing characteristic in the life of Oedipus: “Man of agony—that is the only name I have for you, that, no other—ever, ever, ever!” (Sophocles, 47). The …show more content…
For one, tables turn against Oedipus in such a manner that he is forced to punish himself in a ruthless and unforgivable manner: “Send me away from the land an exile!” (Sophocles, 100). This is an act of compulsion caused by fate as he promised to punish anyone that murdered his father: “Now my curse on the murderer. Whoever he is, a lone man unknown in his crime” (Sophocles 12). As a fine king he fulfilled this promise, unknown that he would be punishable to himself. In addition, due to compulsions he is forced to the prediction that he killed his father “That I never came to shed my father’s blood” (Sophocles 94). Evidently, Oedipus happens to kill his father, as predicted and warned by the priests and other individuals in the life of Oedipus. Additionally, Oedipus is also forewarned about his marriage with his mother by Teiresias: “He shall be proved the brother and the sire, of her who bare him son and husband both co-partner, and assassin of his sire” (Sophocles 23), yet he marries his mother Jocasta under compulsions he was forced to commit an act which he wouldn’t normally commit. He defeated the monstrous Sphinx and thus he married Jocasta who was a widowed king under the engulfing circumstances, to support her and for a reward. Thus, it can be concluded that one has close to no control under the circumstances of their
For instance, Teiresias periphrastically communicates the assassin of Laius to be in close proximity of Oedipus: “Who murdered Laius-- that man is here” (Sophocles 31), and continues on to say that that “he [the assassin] shall soon prove to be a Theban, native born” (Sophocles 31). This quotation implies that Oedipus is still oblivious to the murderer of his father, as he unknowingly continues to converse with Teiresias. As a result, Oedipus was merely an accomplice of destiny in the murder his father Laius. Moreover, Oedipus is acquainted with the predominant nature of his life by a passing shepherd: “If you are the man he says you are, believe me you were born for pain” (Sophocles, 45). Once again, Oedipus is brought forthright with reality. Noting the informative tone of the dialogue, readers can conclude the presence of determinism in the fate of Oedipus of a lack of insight that could be offered; thus indirectly commenting upon the limited authority one has one has on their fate. The inability of Oedipus to transform his destiny obtrudes the readers to question the value of personnel evaluation in the verdict of their actions. Lastly, his wife Jocasta too forewarns of the prevailing characteristic in the life of Oedipus: “Man of agony—that is the only name I have for you, that, no other—ever, ever, ever!” (Sophocles, 47). The …show more content…
For one, tables turn against Oedipus in such a manner that he is forced to punish himself in a ruthless and unforgivable manner: “Send me away from the land an exile!” (Sophocles, 100). This is an act of compulsion caused by fate as he promised to punish anyone that murdered his father: “Now my curse on the murderer. Whoever he is, a lone man unknown in his crime” (Sophocles 12). As a fine king he fulfilled this promise, unknown that he would be punishable to himself. In addition, due to compulsions he is forced to the prediction that he killed his father “That I never came to shed my father’s blood” (Sophocles 94). Evidently, Oedipus happens to kill his father, as predicted and warned by the priests and other individuals in the life of Oedipus. Additionally, Oedipus is also forewarned about his marriage with his mother by Teiresias: “He shall be proved the brother and the sire, of her who bare him son and husband both co-partner, and assassin of his sire” (Sophocles 23), yet he marries his mother Jocasta under compulsions he was forced to commit an act which he wouldn’t normally commit. He defeated the monstrous Sphinx and thus he married Jocasta who was a widowed king under the engulfing circumstances, to support her and for a reward. Thus, it can be concluded that one has close to no control under the circumstances of their