Does Oedipus Have Free Will

Does Oedipus Have Free Will?

Philosophers throughout the ages have debated whether our choices and actions change the outcome of our lives. Some philosophers believe we define our lives with our actions. Others, such as Sophocles, believe that we each have a fate, and our actions cannot change that fate. In Sophocles’ drama, Oedipus the King, despite Oedipus’ best efforts, he could not avoid his fate. Oedipus’ fate is inevitable; none of his actions can change the outcome determined by the gods. Oedipus’ fate is already determined hundreds of years prior to his birth. It is decided by the curse that Apollo’s oracle placed on Cadmus, one of Oedipus’ ancestors. Cadmus is called by the gods to found the city of Thebes, but he needs to find a source of water. “Cadmus had to kill a dragon guarding the water supply. This dragon, unfortunately was Apollo’s

Polybus and Merope, Oedipus’ adopted parents, never tell Oedipus that he is not their biological son. “Because Polybus was no kin to you in blood” (2, 1110). Oedipus does not know that he is not Polybus’ son until after he has both married his mother and killed his father. “But he was paid back full and presently my stick had struck him backwards from the car and he rolled out of it. And then I killed them all” (1, 905-8). Oedipus kills all the men in the coach: an old man and three others. The old man in the carriage was his father, King Laius. It is an unlikely coincidence that Oedipus should meet his father on the road and even more improbable that his father would unknowingly attack his own son, and the son would then kill him. Oedipus does not know until after the fact that this man is his father. Oedipus also does not know his wife is his mother until many years after they are married. The mounting quantity of coincidences can only be explained by the inevitability of Oedipus’