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Comparing Fate And Free Will In Sophocles Oedipus Rex

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Sophocles, a distinguished and revered Greek author and playwright, through his literary work, Oedipus Rex, or The King, chronicles the life of Oedipus and his battle against tragedy, fate, and a search for truth. These common themes found in Greek drama, drive the plot and allow Oedipus to unveil mysteries from the past in his attempt to amend the future for the city of Thebes. After the death of Laius, Oedipus vows to punish his murderer in hopes to save the city of Thebes from the deadly plague. Oedipus doesn’t yet realize that in his search for cessation and justice, not only will he uncover the death of Laius, but he will partake in his own downfall and self destruction. While the direct appearance of the gods does not take place in the play, it can be inferred, that through the prophecies and oracle of Apollo, the gods were the ultimate dictators of Oedipus’ fate. Teiresias, a prophet of Apollo warns Oedipus of his future by stating that, “With both your eyes, are blind. You cannot see the wretchedness of your life (Sophocles 212). Oedipus has not yet recognized that he is the son the prophecy foretold, and the blood …show more content…

Oedipus, however does not. This creates a sense of dramatic irony as the readers, and nearly every character in the play, eagerly wait for the truth to be revealed to the one person who it will effect the most, Oedipus. Oedipus declares, “...curse on the murderer. Whoever he is, a lone man unknown in his crime or one among many, let that man drag out his life in agony, step by painful step (Sophocles 280-282).”This ironic statement foreshadows Oedipus troubling future as he is unaware of the crimes he’s committed and slowly the truth of these crimes will transpire. Even when the terrible truth is revealed to Oedipus, he contemplates, avoids, and denounces its validity. He cannot come to terms with his prior actions and the subsequent chain of

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