Oedipus Rex, written by Sophocles, is an early tale, filled with drama, tragedy and paradoxes, yet only to the naked eye. There are many literary devices used within this exquisite play and theme is a main focus within this play. The underlying theme of this play portrayed is that of fate, and that it is a part of our lives, and we as people, on the land of the living are powerless against it. The theme is what makes this play great in many aspects. The overall theme of fate is a constant motif throughout the play, even though it may not have been directly stated as so, until King Oedipus says it himself. Him also calling the name of fate, also shows its significance. For him to mention it as a catalyst for the event unfolding in his life, shows its importance to the development of the story and the lives of the characters involved as well as, how the story was written to surround this common idea. The theme of fate is first mentioned in the early beginning with the plague that condemns the city of Thebes and all its citizens causing them great misfortune and sadness. They beg for help, and when a reasoning is given for why this is happening and why this curse of a plague has befallen the city the wise oracle of …show more content…
After receiving the information of why this misfortune had befallen his city, Oedipus vows to find the murderer and curses his name for the plague that he has caused. Oedipus, in all his determination to help his city and his people, sets a fate for this murderer, which we find out to be himself, later on. As more characters come into play with their sides of the story, the true history behind Oedipus unravels. Fate was always been referred to as a funny thing" in how it deals with people and life itself. Fate itself means a predestined end for all. It implies a usually adverse outcome to most, if not all situations in the daily lives of all, that is inevitable to all who encounter