Oedipus
Tragedies have inspired innumerable numbers of people throughout the ages to make themselves better and more like the tragic heroes they read about, yet they have also brought various questions to mind. Different critics will argue what exactly causes the outcome of the tragedy. Some say that the choice of a person overrides his destiny, and his decisions prove his future true. Others will affirm the contrary- that fate determines all and subsists as an inevitable occurrence, and the outcome transpires because of the earlier predictions. Some particular tragedies, such as Oedipus the King, by Sophocles, inspire strong arguments that both the person's decisions and destiny establishes the result. A combination of human choice and fate caused the tragic outcome of Oedipus the King, for kismet eventually overcame Oedipus' beliefs and doubts, yet his actions and decisions presented a crucial aspect in causing the catastrophic finale. Fate caused the tragic outcome in Oedipus the King for the prophecies all came true, which influenced the disastrous conclusion. One of Oedipus' ancestors, Cadmus, had killed Apollo's favorite snake, thus dooming all his descendants to a curse prophesied to each generation by Apollo's oracle. Oedipus'
Oedipus' fate came true because of his decisions. Thus, Oedipus' fate determined the tragic outcome of the play, for though Oedipus tried everything to avoid his fate; kismet eventually overcame his wishes and caused the tragic outcome. When Oedipus has the occasional suspicion of the prophecy coming true, his hopes and the influence of others persuade him otherwise. Therefore, despite his precautions, Oedipus' dreaded prophecy had actually come true. Jocasta and Oedipus never suspected their relationship as more than husband and wife. When Oedipus solved the Sphinx's riddle and offered Jocasta's hand in marriage, Thebes' joy at the relief of the Sphinx overran any possible suspicions about Oedipus' marriage to his mother. She's the mother from whom I spring; the months, my brothers, marked me, now as small, and now again as mighty. He becomes a tragic hero, however, for he faced his destiny courageously and accepted his responsibility in the downfall by destroying his eyes so that he would see the truth from then on. Jocasta comforts him, replying, "Be sure, at least, that this was how he told the story. Oedipus' temper and insolence helped cause him to loose his temper with the man in the chariot, therefore proving how human characteristics influence the decisions made, thus persuading the outcome. This ironic twist on Oedipus' decisions proves that human choice causes the tragic outcome of Oedipus the King. Oedipus' initial decision to move away from Corinth where his supposed parents lived began the tragedy that eventually befell him. This shows how his choice and actions brought his personal tragedy to the zenith.
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