The Rise and Fall of Oedipus Rex; was it Fate or Self Demise? An age old debate in the philosophical world is if mankind’s future is determined by fate or by man’s free will. This philosophical debate is no more prevalent in a text than in the play Oedipus the King by Sophocles. The protagonist, or debatable antagonist, Oedipus, is inserted in the middle of this very debate. Oedipus Rex fits the definition of a tragic hero in that in Sophocles’ play he experiences a sudden shift in situation where Oedipus goes from being a beloved ruler to a murder. However the way he arrives to this shift in situation is constantly debated whether it was fate or Oedipus’s free will which led to this downfall. Yet, it can be implied that it was the idea
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For example the character Tiresias is introduced as a prophet whose sole purpose is to determine fate from the god or gods he spreads messages for. During his first interaction with a heated Oedipus he implies his reliance in his ability as a prophet to interpret fate even after being verbally berated by Oedipus. Tiresias states, “You criticize my temper… unaware of the one you live with, you revile me.” (384-385) Oedipus responds with, “Who could restrain his anger when hearing you? What outrage- you spurn the city!”(386) Even in the face of adversity from a feuding Oedipus Tiresias stays strong and responds with, “What will come will come. Even if I shroud it all in silence.” (388-389) The significance of this quote is that it subtly displays the ideology that many characters share. Many characters, like Tiresias, hold a heavy regard towards their belief in true faith. Tireasias being a prophet is easily susceptible to this belief but there are other characters such as Queen Jocasta. Take for example a short monologue by Jocasta where she …show more content…
Here is the proof in brief. An oracle Once came to Laius (I will not say 'Twas from the Delphic god himself, but from his ministers) declaring he was doomed to perish by the hand of his own son, a child that should be born to him by me.” (780-787) The purpose of this quotation is to show how important the role of fate has on the lives of the characters within the play. Jocasta was so impulsive with the fear of her prophecy coming true that she and her husband even gave up their child to prevent it which we as the readers know did not work anyway. However at
For example the character Tiresias is introduced as a prophet whose sole purpose is to determine fate from the god or gods he spreads messages for. During his first interaction with a heated Oedipus he implies his reliance in his ability as a prophet to interpret fate even after being verbally berated by Oedipus. Tiresias states, “You criticize my temper… unaware of the one you live with, you revile me.” (384-385) Oedipus responds with, “Who could restrain his anger when hearing you? What outrage- you spurn the city!”(386) Even in the face of adversity from a feuding Oedipus Tiresias stays strong and responds with, “What will come will come. Even if I shroud it all in silence.” (388-389) The significance of this quote is that it subtly displays the ideology that many characters share. Many characters, like Tiresias, hold a heavy regard towards their belief in true faith. Tireasias being a prophet is easily susceptible to this belief but there are other characters such as Queen Jocasta. Take for example a short monologue by Jocasta where she …show more content…
Here is the proof in brief. An oracle Once came to Laius (I will not say 'Twas from the Delphic god himself, but from his ministers) declaring he was doomed to perish by the hand of his own son, a child that should be born to him by me.” (780-787) The purpose of this quotation is to show how important the role of fate has on the lives of the characters within the play. Jocasta was so impulsive with the fear of her prophecy coming true that she and her husband even gave up their child to prevent it which we as the readers know did not work anyway. However at