In Greek mythology the oracles or gods are rarely wrong in their
             predictions of the future. Yet the characters still try to fight the
             predictions. Do their personalities and traits decide their future, or does
             fate take its course no matter what? Oedipus was a shrewd man furnished
             with wit and intellect, yet his lack of insight (the ability to see and
             understand clearly the inner nature of himself) and his arrogance led to
             Oedipus's aret‚ (an exceptional ability or gift) was unravelling
             riddles, and solving any puzzles with ease. He had a surplus of the
             aptitude to look outward, but unfortunately he had a deficiency of the
             ability to look inward. This talent of looking outward made him renowned
             for deciphering riddles and mysteries. Yet when Tiresias appears and speaks
             in riddles, Oedipus cannot solve them because of his lack of insight.
             Tiresias's riddles are clear in what they state, but Oedipus cannot
             understand them because he doesn't know himself well enough. Tiresias
             All ignorant! And I refuse to link my utterance with a downfall
             such as yours.(Pg.42) At this point in the play, Oedipus still cannot
             perceive who the murderer of King Laius is, even though the riddle is
             obvious. Oliver 2 Oedipus has the ability to comprehend the riddles, but
             he won't allow himself to accept the truth. When Oedipus saved Thebes from
             The Sphinx, he answered this difficult puzzle. The Sphinx demanded, What
             creature is it that walks on four feet in the morning, on two at noon, and
             on three in the evening? With his eminent mastery of riddles and having an
             open mind, Oedipus replied, It is Man. As a child he crawls on four. When
             he grows up he walks upright on his two feet, and in old age he leans on a
             staff.1 This puzzle is far more complex than Tiresias's rudimentary
             riddles, so Oedipus has the ability to solve the riddles but cann
             ...