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Oedipus The King Fate Vs Free Will Essay

775 Words4 Pages

Jackson Gemmell
Ms. Allen
English/World Literature
13 January 2023
“Oedipus the King” Essay
The play “Oedipus the King” by Sophocles is a play about how people should not mess with fate. The play by Sophocles displays the tragic life of Oedipus and his struggle of having to accept his fate of killing his father and marrying his mother. Oedipus tries so much to take steps to stop his fate but fails because he can not change fate and he is completely powerless against his fate. The play “Oedipus the King” by Sophocles explores fate vs free will in order to show that fate always overpowers free will. This is illustrated in the play through irony, characters, and conflict.
Towards the middle of the play when Oedipus is trying to find his fate, he gets into an argument with Teiresias. Teiresias says, “ Well it will come what will, though I be mute”.(Sophocles, i.314) Oedipus responds’ “ Since come it must, thy duty is to tell me”.(Sophocles, i. 315-316) Teiresias responds, “ I have no more to say; storms …show more content…

Teiresias says, “ I go, but first will tell thee why I came, Thy frown I dread not, for thou canst not harm me. Hear then: this man whom thou hast sought to arrest with threats and warrants this long while, the wretch who murdered Laius– that man is here”(Sophocles, i.426-429). Teiresias is saying that he doesn’t want to see Oedipus anymore. Teiresias also says that Oedipus’ fate will soon be known to everyone and they will find out he murdered Laius, his father. Not only that but the people will find out everything about him. Fate is powerful and can often cause you to chase something when you probably shouldn’t. For instance, Oedipus is so focused on his fate that he doesn’t even realize he is living in it. This is why people have to be more aware and cautious of their surroundings sometimes. Something like this could happen to anyone and they wouldn’t even know

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