Oedipus The King Research Paper

The Destruction of Oedipus the King

The events in the play "Oedipus the King" show an underlying relationship of mans free will existing within the cosmic order or fate that the Greeks believed guided the universe. Man was given the freedom to choose ones own acitons, and was ultimately held responsible for them. Both ideas of fate and free will played an undividing role in his destruction. Clarence Miller considered the killing of his father to be fate. " This is what I consider that if fate is meant to be by a God, there is no way of avoiding fate," Miller said.

Another theme in the story is of truth and freedom. In the Bible, Christ says, "know the truth and it shall set you free." Pieris Berreitter felt that the whole belief of

Yes sometimes it is, but it is a true hero that can find the strength to overcome it. I think the most tragic part of the story was how he handled the truth about his birth parents. I am sure it was awful for him to come to the realization of his fate coming true, but it wasn't all his fault. He did not have complete control of the situation, especially when he was

Though the truth can be tough to hear, we need to learn how to handle it. Finding the courage and strength to get us through just makes us that much stronger in the end. Life is about making mistakes, it is the ones who learn something from it and try to change their lives for the better. Those who dwell on their past and let themselves be consumed by it are cowards.

Especially in Oedipus's part. He was told all his life that this could happen, it did, so grow from it. When he gauged out his eyes I cringed. When he explained his reasoning behind it I became angry. So you have had the ability to see yet still were led in darkness. Then allow your eyes to see the truth and not be so ignorant. But what does he do, but basically curse himself for the rest of his life by never being able to see the truth.

That is our problem in society today. People can't stand to live through the consequences. They coward at the idea of being punished for doing something wrong. I mean, look at American Idol, this is an example of people just getting "constructive criticism" for their mistakes, and how do they react? They react by getting upset instead of taking the truth and learning from it. If people would realize that everyone has a past that has something in it that they are ashamed of, maybe we wouldn't have so many people trying to run from their past as Oedipus did. You can't get away from it, it will always follow you. So stand up to