How does destiny operate in Oedipus the King? Written amidst Ancient Greece’s golden age, a period marked by intellectual ferment, Sophocles’ didactic play, ‘Oedipus the King,’ explores the philosophical discourse surrounding the interactions between fate and freewill. Through the narrative of the protagonist’s downfall, Sophocles advises that “pride breeds the tyrant” within a ruler, and that their hubris is their hamartia. He educates the Ephebes on the dangers of ignorance, suggesting that wisdom is required to navigate the metaphorical ship in the correct direction. However, it is ultimately divine intervention that acts as the puppet master restricting characters from their attempts to defy their fate and therefore is responsible for the tragic consequences that unravel. Hubris stands …show more content…
This accomplishment persuades him into believing that he possesses god-like powers and that the “world knows [his] fame” because of it. When the city of Thebes prays to the gods for deliverance from the deadly plague, Oedipus brashly interrupts, stating that it is he who should “grant [their] prayers.” Excessive pride “breeds the tyrant” within Oedipus and manipulates him into acting upon his impulsiveness and making decisions that are not in his best interests. When Tiresias is hesitant to reveal the truth, Oedipus becomes infuriated, violating him by calling him a “scum of the earth” and questioning his morality by asking him if he is “bent on destroying Thebes?” Agitated, Tiresias reveals the truth, stating that Oedipus is the “curse” and is “blind to the corruption of [his] own life.” By allowing his hubris to control him, Oedipus places himself in danger by providing fuel This flaw also leads Oedipus to become dismissive of others, manipulating him into believing that it is only he who should be the one to see the truth for himself and save the city of