Oedipus Fate Vs Free Will Essay

The Story of Oedipus: Fate or Free Will The story of Oedipus in Sophocles’ play Oedipus the King is a tale of prophecy and how the characters fall victim of their undesirable fate. The Oracle of Apollo at Delphi foretold that Oedipus would grow up to murder his father, marry his mother and father children with her. Oedipus destiny is inevitable but it was his free will and hamartia of hubris, anger, and determination that led to the complete undoing of Oedipus. In the beginning, Oedipus learns of the prophecy that said he would kill his father and wed his mother. In learning his future, Oedipus tries to escape his predetermined fate by leaving his home in Corinth to avoid killing Polybus, the man he thought to be his biological father. Oedipus …show more content…
If it would not have been for Oedipus’ determination he would have never found out the truth and would have lived in ignorance thinking that he defied the gods and escaped his predetermined future. Oedipus forces Tiresias to come out and say, “I say you are the murderer you seek” (367). Jocasta begs him to stop by saying, “What’s there for man to fear? The realm of chance / prevails. True foresight isn’t possible. / His life is best who lives without a plan. / This marriage with your mother – don’t fear it.” (983-986). It is his own fault that his tragedy is discovered and he chooses to gouge his eyes out. He also exhibits his hubris in the beginning when he comes out and says, “I, Oedipus, a name that all men know” (8). He also shows his pride when he is about to start the search for Laius’ killer by saying that only he could bring to light who the killer is all because he feels that he has achieved so much by solving the riddle of the Sphinx. If it would not have been for his flaws then he could have been happy in ignorance but instead by searching he blinds himself and Jocasta kills herself, both of which are done with free