Actions vs. Fate: The Age-long Discussion
             The events in Oedipus' life were results of his own actions. Like most humans, Oedipus had his flaws; his anger and pride led him to do irrational things. Oedipus was blinded by his faults and he could not see the truth of the world. Instead he blamed all of his misfortunes on the gods. According to Oedipus, the gods liked to play with Mans' lives and all calamities are a result of their meddling.
             The first time Oedipus appeared he made a proclamation to get rid of the afflictions plaguing Thebes. This proclamation stated that the murderer of King Laios could state his confession and then leave Thebes without harm. Oedipus also said that culprit would be forced into exile from the city. Furthermore, anyone concealing the murderer is no worse than the murderer himself. Oedipus cursed the felon to live in a life of wretchedness. To seem more righteous, Oedipus adds, "And as for me, this curse applies no less if it should turn out that the culprit is my guest here, sharing my hearth." By these five declarations, Oedipus unknowingly caused himself to become an exile and to live a life full of suffering.
             The proclamation illustrated Oedipus' ignorance of his past. He thought that Polybos, the King of Corinth, had raised him. He left home and arrived in Thebes, defeated the Sphinx, and was rewarded by marrying Iocaste, the widow of King Laios. Later it was revealed to Oedipus that Iocaste was both his wife and mother. To add to the bad news, a man he had killed along the side of the road many years ago was in fact Laios, his own father.
             By not knowing about his past, Oedipus condemns his own life. He didn't know that the man he had murdered was Laios when he made the proclamation. However, by having stated that the criminal would be exiled and the same thing could happen to him, Oedipus forced the consequences upon himself. Oedipus was forced out of Thebes and...