The Workings of Destiny, Fate, Free Will and Free Choice in Oedipus the King

677 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Oedipus and his fate

Fate in Oedipus Rex

Sophocles' tragic tale of Oedipus presents the reader with a very bleak view of mankind and the world in general. According to the story, every person is predestined to enact a role scripted by fate, a "mysterious power" that rules even the greatest of Greek gods (Hamilton, 27). In this tale, the source of this fate is not as clear as its function.

The first of many allusions to fate in Oedipus the King comes from the chorus, which calls upon the gods Athena, Artemis, and Phoebus (Apollo), "three averters of Fate," (Sophocles 163) to save Thebes. The phrase implied that the gods could help man avoid the dictates of fate, but that they cannot alter fate. Sharing the terrible facts of Laius' death, Teiresias tells Oedipus: "It is not fate that I should be your ruin, Apollo is enough; it is his care/to work this out" (Sophocles 376-378). The prophet's pronouncement links fate and Apollo, yet he suggest...

... middle of paper ...

... the Sphinx in its puzzling presence and ruthless punishment of the innocent. If Oedipus the King does not define fate, it aptly demonstrates its workings.

Works Cited:

Greene, David and Richmond Lattimore, Eds. Greek Tragedies. 2nd ed. Vol. 1. Chicago: U of Chicago P, 1991.

Hamilton, Edith. Mythology. New York: Penguin, 1969.

Sophocles. "Oedipus Rex." An Introduction to Literature, 11th ed.Eds. Sylvan Barnet, et al. New York: Longman, 1997.

Show More
Related

  • Delta Airlines Executive Summary

    587 Words  | 2 Pages

    It has stayed relevant to the market through its propelled philosophy of relationships to generate profits in the business. Since its establishment in Monroe, Louisiana the once tiny airline has stretched to greater heights serving in 6 continents. It has also established a distinguishable name among its competitors with a reputation of leading customer services. However, even as an established venture, the company needs to maximize its profits in order to stay in business and expand in to new territories beyond its conquered boundaries. A strategic analysis was carried out by our team to establish the company’s current situation. A SWOT analysis was performed to come up with three referenced, strategic alternatives. This alternatives are meant to act as a strategic guidance to the company in order to enhance growth. The strategic recommendation provided will improve and enable the business to cope with the competitors while the implementation of the strategy section will outline the way to go about achieving these alternatives in the business setting. Lastly, we put up a discussion on the evaluation procedures and necessary controls for the

    Read More

  • Arrogance in Oedipus and Cocteau's Infernal Machine

    1343 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...uture. They provide him with numerous hints regarding the impending doom that hangs in the atmosphere. However, Oedipus' arrogance blinds him to the truth of his situation and leads to his ultimate demise. Works Cited and Consulted Abrams, M. H. A Glossary of Literary Terms, 7th ed. New York: Harcourt Brace College Publishers, 1999. Benardete, Seth. “Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannus.” In Sophocles: A Collection of Critical Essays, edited by Thomas Woodard. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1966. Cocteau, Jean. (1963). The Infernal Machine in The Infernal Machine and other plays. (A. Bermal, Trans.) New York: New Directions Publishing Corporation. Nagle, Brendan D.  The Ancient World: A Cultural and Social History. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1979.

    Read More

  • Fate And Free Will In Oedipus The King

    1493 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Sophocles ' Oedipus the King, the themes of fate and free will are very strong throughout the play. Only one, however, brought about Oedipus ' downfall and death. Both points could be argued to great effect. In ancient Greece, fate was considered to be a rudimentary part of daily life. Every aspect of life depended and was based upon fate (Nagle 100). It is common belief to assume that mankind does indeed have free will and each individual can decide the outcome of his or her life. Fate and free will both decide the fate of Oedipus the King.

    Read More

  • Oedipus the King: Does Oedipus Satisfy the Definition of a Good Man?

    1412 Words  | 3 Pages

    Sophocles.  "Oedipus Rex."  An Introduction to Literature, 11th ed.Eds. Sylvan Barnet, et al.  New York: Longman, 1997.

    Read More

  • Oedipus the King: The Free Will of Oedipus

    352 Words  | 1 Pages

    Even though "fate" seems to determine Oedipus' life, he does, in fact, have a free will.

    Read More

  • Oedipus: Riddle of the Sphinx as a Metaphor of Life

    1059 Words  | 3 Pages

    Oedipus Rex (the King), written by Sophocles, is the tragic play depicting the disastrous existence to which Oedipus, an Athenian, is 'fated' to endure. With a little help from the gods and the 'fated' actions and decisions of Oedipus, an almost unthinkable misfortune unfolds. Athenian perfection can consist of intelligence, self-confidence, and a strong will. Oedipus, the embodiment of such perfection, and his tragedy are common place to Athenians. Ironically, the very same exact characteristics that bring about the ominous discovery of Oedipus' fate: to kill his father and marry his mother. Oedipus' 'fated' decisions entangle everyone whom is of any significance to him within a quagmire of spiraling tragedy. Sophocles uses the riddle of the Sphinx as a metaphor for the three phases of Oedipus' entangled life, the three phases of human life, and to describe how every life-changing action or decision can influence other lives.

    Read More

  • The Cruel Transformation in Oedipus the King

    1302 Words  | 3 Pages

    Sophocles.  "Oedipus Rex."  An Introduction to Literature, 11th ed. Eds. Sylvan Barnet, et al.  New York: Longman, 1997.

    Read More

  • Destiny, Fate, Free Will and Free Choice in Oedipus the King - Power of Fate

    447 Words  | 1 Pages

    The Greek tragedy Oedipus the King, by Sophocles, was written to show the common people of Greece how powerful the gods are and that your fate is pre-determined and nothing you do can change that. He does this by showing how people in this story try to escape their fate and how it is no use because in the end, what the oracles predict comes true. In the story there are many occasions in which people try to escape their fate.

    Read More

  • Oedipus the King: Free Will or Fate?

    617 Words  | 2 Pages

    A common debate that still rages today is whether we as a species have free will or if some divine source, some call it fate, controls our destiny. The same debate applies to Oedipus the King and Oedipus at Colonus. Does Oedipus control his actions, or are they predetermined by the gods? It’s that question that makes Oedipus a classic, and many different people think many different things.

    Read More

  • Overview: Prometheus Bound by Aeschylus

    925 Words  | 2 Pages

    Grene, David., and Richmond Alexander Lattimore. Greek Tragedies. 2nd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1991.

    Read More

  • Oedipus the King: Oedipus And The Gods

    2182 Words  | 5 Pages

    The idea of fate has existed for a long time and exists even today. Fate revolves around the idea that people's lives are predetermined and that no matter what is done it cannot be changed. With the gods it was used to explain events that seemed strange. Sophocles expands on this idea by introducing Oedipus' fate. The thought of fate is strong considering no matter how hard he struggles he still receives what was predetermined. As a baby he survived the elements on Mount Cithaeron. As Oedipus was destined to live, it shows the dominance of fate. Having fate play such a large part of the play is certainly an insight into the Greek's idea that fate controls us no matter how hard we struggle against it.

    Read More

  • Comparing Oedipus and Job

    1014 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Oedipus The King, Sophocles presents a view of life fixed by fate. This fate, predetermined by the gods, is the sole factor in deciding human destiny. Tiresias expresses his understanding of the unchangeable fate of Oedipus, laid out by the gods, as he argues with the King about revealing the truth of all the Theban troubles. When Oedipus, frustrated by the lack of cooperation, insults Tiresias, he responds "I pity you, flinging at me the very insults / each man here will fling at you so soon."(322) Even more telling of the fated existence of Sophocles' characters is Jocasta's revelation of prophecies given before Oedipus' birth which foretold all that the gods had in store, which had indeed come to pass (332).

    Read More

  • The Jet Age: The Jet Age And The Airline Industry

    1036 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...ther competitors by sharing scarce resources including brand assets and market capability, enhancing service quality and, thereby, improving profitability” (2000, p. 137). Airline alliances form to improve companies’ combines value by “(a) achieving or preserving greater economies of scope than they could do individually; (b) improving ‘seamlessness’ of their multiple offering; and (c) increasing their effectiveness by combining frequent flyer programs and airport clubs” (Kahn, 2004, p. 64). These alliances, in turn, expand each member’s routes beyond the normal range and allow for seamless service for customers (Oum et al., 2000, p. 138). None of this would be possible without a free market, however, and after 1978, the airline industry started to see a boom in revenues and inter-firm cooperation after the Airline Deregulation was passed (Smith & Cox, 2008, p. 1).

    Read More

  • Comparing the Fate of Oedipus and Phaedra

    2334 Words  | 5 Pages

    Sophocles.  "Oedipus Rex."  An Introduction to Literature, 11th ed. Eds. Sylvan Barnet, et al.  New York: Longman, 1997. 800-836.

    Read More

  • Discuss The Impact Of Globalization On The Airline Industry

    907 Words  | 2 Pages

    Air travel is a huge and tremendously flourishing industry. Globalization can be defined as the integration of national and local economics, culture and societies through a web of communication, transportation and trade. The current era considers globalization as the dominant driver of almost all business due to the influence or the international market. The emerging prosperity of the global aviation industry plays a substantial role in economic growth, tourism, global investment and world trade, which are the impacts of globalization. This essay portrays the negative and positive effects of this globalization on the airline industry.

    Read More

More about The Workings of Destiny, Fate, Free Will and Free Choice in Oedipus the King

Open Document