Fate versus Free Will Examined in Oedipus Rex Hamlet and A Raisin in the Sun
While fate plays a significant role in our lives, it is clear to seethrough the characters of Oedipus Rex, Hamlet, and Walter Younger that ourchoices often dictate the direction of our lives. While the plays, OedipusRex, by Sophocles; Hamlet, by William Shakespeare; and A Raisin in the Sun,by Lorraine Hansberry represent different cultural and social issues, theissue of fate versus free will is a predominant theme in each of them.Oedipus, Hamlet, and Walter Younger demonstrate that we are often more incontrol of destiny than we might want to believe. Each man has particular circumstances that exist beyond his realm ofcontrol. Oedipus' situation almost seems destined by fate because we knowthat the gods predict his future. However, what we must remember is whatthe gods predicted is different from what they knew. No doubt the godsknew the truth about Oedipus and his life and were therefore aware ofOedipus' fate but this fact does not change that Oedipus was the one whocontrolled his own destiny. The gods never forced Oedipus to do anythingnor did they attempt to prevent him from doing anything. In short, Oedipusmade intentional decisions that not only shaped but also changed his
In addition, Oedipus' response to Croon is just as arrogantbecause Croon does not tell him what wants he to hear. InHamlet's situation, we learn that sometimes inaction is the worst possiblething one can do. While these facts are true, Walter is still the man who ultimatelymakes his own choices. Interestingly, after Oedipus hears the truth about his life, he is unableto process it. He realizes that his life is quickly passing before his eyes andhe is very aware of the fact that he has not accomplished what he wants todo. Oedipus has truth staring him inthe face and he has the opportunity to walk away from it and continueliving his life as it was but he chooses another path. AsTeiresias tries to warn Oedipus to leave things as they are, he callTeiresias a "wicked old man" (Sophocles I. For instance, Teiresias when says to him, "You yourself arethe pollution of this country" (I. tell it to my wife, Mama, tomorrow when she has to go out of here to look after someone else's kids . Witheach man, we see choices that work against good results. Interestingly, when Hamlet has enough evidence to satisfy hisquestion regarding Claudius' guilt, he still cannot bring himself to avengehis father's murder. (2226)These remarks not only establish how Walter is in control of everythingthing that happens to him but they also reveal how he wants to blamesomebody else for his troubles.
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