Influenced by Humans but Beyond Human Control Fate in...

Fate; something that unavoidably befalls upon a person, fate is influenced by one’s own actions, but is ultimately dictated by events beyond human control. In this play Sophocles demonstrates the power of fate through certain situations that occur throughout the play which are uncontrollable. The gods preordained Oedipus’ future, with all its intricacies and landmarks which lead Oedipus on his quest to find his identity and the truth. However, the path Oedipus â€Å"chooses† is simply a reaction to the predetermination of his life. Ultimately fate, through Oedipus’ own â€Å"choices† is his opponent throughout the play. Oedipus, sent away from Thebes as an infant, coincidently was saved and became the prince of Corinth. Upon hearing of the prophecy†¦show more content†¦Despite his attempts to reveal his identity and the truth of his parenthood, Oedipus starts on his quest for the truth. Although Oedipus convinces himself that he is making his own decisions, he is blind to the truth of having fulfilled the prophecy, and despite the insinuator advice from Tiresias that the gods have control over the outcome of his life he continues to map out his escape from fate. â€Å"It is not fate that I should be your ruin, Apollo is enough; it is his care to work this out.†(376-378) Tiresias as he says these words shows that it is the gods who are playing with Oedipus’ future as though he was their puppet and they the puppeteer. The blind prophet makes a reference to Apollo a god, which insinuates that they have power over the circumstance and that fate must take its place, for the gods have arranged for his punishment and outcome of his life. Although Oedipus can be gratified for his great demonstration of perseverance, in the case where Oedipus wants to find out who his parents were, Jocasta firmly advises him not to do so. Oedipus perseveres and does what he believes to be right for himself and for his own good. Firstly he is very steadfast in discovering his true identity, this indicates that he is not ignorant of his true birth parents and has a certain untamed curiosity which Jocasta did not have. (860-861) Even when Oedipus discovers his true identity and the truth about his life including the prophecyShow MoreRelatedOedipus The King, Antigone, And Minority Report1364 Words   |  6 Pages Throughout the stories of Oedipus the King, Antigone, and Minority Report, there is a common theme of greatness beyond the scope of the individual story. Oedipus was the dedicated king of Thebes, whose predestined fate detailed failed attempts to outrun his destiny. His sacrifices were for the good of his city. Creon and Antigone battle throughout their story, yet ultimately showed that death and sorrow are fates that are bigger than the both of them. 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