The themes of fate and predestination play major roles throughout the story of Oedipus the King. In the ancient world, much like the world today, society was questioning their existence and the concept of predestination. People often wonder whether they can control their own destiny, or if there is a controlling force that has pre-determined the course of a person's life. In his plays Sophocles wrote about fate as a ruling cosmic order. He believed that although people had free will they could not act outside this cosmic order. Oedipus' fate is closely intertwined with his moral character.
             In the story, Oedipus calls upon a prophet to find out who killed the former king of Thebes. When the "seer" comes he not only accuses Oedipus of the murder of the king, but also says that he is destined to sleep with his own mother. Oedipus thinks that this is impossible. He thinks that through this embarrassing false prophecy, his friend Creon is trying to steal his throne. Oedipus' wife, Jocasta, tries to convince him that the prophecy will not come true. Throughout the story, Oedipus struggles with the idea of not being able to control the course of his life.
             Throughout the story Oedipus eventually finds out that he cannot escape his destiny. Through a long series of events he finds out that the parents that raised him had not given birth to him. Oedipus finds out that they had only adopted him and that he killed his real father on a highway many years ago. He also realizes that his real mother was now his wife. When Jocasta hears that the prophecy has come true she is confronted by her own shame and disgrace; she decides to hang herself because she cannot bear to live with what has happened. When Oedipus figures out that the prophecy is true and finds his dead wife, he blinds himself and leaves the city to wander in the wilderness.
             Eventhough it seems like Oedipus was doomed from birth, his character and attitu...