Power of fate
Oedipus’s belief in his own fate changes as the story unfolds. At the beginning of the play, Oedipus feels he is in control of his destiny. When Oedipus first arrives in Thebes, he defeats the mythical beast, the Sphinx. Oedipus says “Yes I, Oedipus, who knew nothing of such things, who shut that monster’s mouth; not by magic but by my own brains!” (8) Oedipus knows that he solved the problem with his own intellect, which makes him feel in control. In addition to the Sphinx, Oedipus relies on his personal qualities to control his destiny. He says, “When Creon returns, I will accomplish all that the god asks!” (2) Even though Oedipus needs help from the oracle he still believes that he has the power to resolve the issue himself. Oedipus wonders how much control he truly has over his future.
Oedipus begins to have doubts about his level of control
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Vile acts, of which you know nothing and which you cannot see.” (7)Tiresias is trying to hint oedipus that he is the boy in the prophecy and that it has come true. Jocasta explains the past prophecy “Once, an oracle came to laius saying that it was his fate to die by the hand of his son his. His and my son! However, word has it that laius was killed by strangers, thieves,at a three way crossroad.” (15) jocasta tries to stop oedipus from learning the truth but her words fails and makes oedipus more curious to find the answers he is looking