Oedipus

Fate is uncontrollable, and nothing one can do will hinder its becoming. In modern time, most people would protest this statement, but in the time of the ancient Greeks, they would live by it. They believe the Gods decide your entire destiny. The great playwright Sophocles displays how unavoidable fate is in his famous work Oedipus the King. Oedipus is born with a horrible fate, and everything he does to hide from it makes it come true. Through a brilliant display of his characters Jocasta, Tiresias and Oedipus, Sophocles shows that fate is unavoidable.

Jocasta, the mother of Oedipus, later wife of Oedipus, is a strong believer in denying fate and in return is blind to the fact that the fate had already come true. Even when the evidence is clear, she doesn't realize that she married her son and bore his children. In believing that she had out-maneuvered the prophets, Jocasta told Oedipus, “There is no human being born that is endowed with prophetic power” (p. 50). Since Jocasta believes that she no longer is tied into this awful fate, she believes that there is nothing to fear. And in trying to persuade Oedipus into not believing in fate Jocasta states, “Fear? Why should man fear? His life is

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Tiresias a blind old man, plays the irony in the play by portraying the only prophet who can see the dreadful fate of Oedipus. But in twenty years time, he finally discovers the truth that he, in fact, did kill he father, and married his mother, the one who brought him into this world. Tiresias is used to unravel the truth and prove Oedipus's guilt. However, Tiresias refuses the leave without revealing the truth to Oedipus: Tiresias

He will be revealed as brother and father of the children with whom he now lives, the son and husband of the woman who gave him birth, the murderer and marriage partner of his father. Sophocles uses Tiresias to bear the truth to Oedipus and make the audience realize Oedipus's guilt. governed by the operations of chance. With this seemingly outrageous proclamation Oedipus becomes angry and summoned the guards the take Tiresias away. Light, let this be the last time I see you! I stand revealed-born in shame, married in shame, and unnatural murderer” (p. Oedipus-“After I exposed my own guilt-and what a guilt! -Do- you think I could have looked at my fellow citizens with steady eyes?” (p.

The mains character, Oedipus, tackles a very large dilemma is the story of his unavoidable fate. This quote truly shows his humiliation, Oedipus--“O God! It has come true. Also, when Jocasta tries to say all prophecies are false, she is proven to be incorrect, and makes the situation worse. Nothing can be clearly foreseen” (p.

Approximate Word count = 871
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

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