Power Of Fate In Sophocles Antigone

The Power of Fate

Throughout history, society has pondered the existence of a universal reality, in which the order of things is predetermined and inevitable; furthermore, people cogitate the influence of such a diabolical power in our decision-making process. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines fate as the will, principle, or determining the cause of which things, in general, are believed to come to be as they are or events to happen as they do. However, throughout history, people have endeavored to alter their fate, and thus change their destiny. While many have succeeded, such as Martin Luther King, the inspiration who lead the Civil Rights Movement of the1960s; others have sacrificed their lives for a cause that ultimately failed. Sophocles’

As stated previously, fate is the will of the gods; moreover, for ancient Greeks, the course of human life is determined by the gods. Polyneices, despite his seemingly trivial role, is yet another character in Sophocles’ tragedy Antigone, who is impacted by the notorious Oedipus’ family curse. However, Polyneices “In contrast to his father, [Oedipus,] Polyneices [displayed] an ability to disregard fate in favor of his own will.” After Oedipus absconded the city, his two sons, Polyneices and Eteocles, both agreed to rule Thebes in an alternating sequence; however, when Eteocles’s turn came to step down from the throne, he refused and expelled his brother from Thebes. Infuriated and rancorous, Polyneices swore to avenge Eteocles by leading the Argive army against Thebes, a story known as the Seven. Nevertheless, “when he beheld their smiling, their swagger of golden helms, the frown of his thunder blasted the first man from our walls for God hates utterly the bray of bragging tongues” (parodos, 21-25). Zeus, perhaps the most powerful patriarch of the Greek gods, is responsible for maintaining order in both the real world and the spiritual world. Thus, he helps Thebes win the battle when he notices the Argive army exulting in their impending victory. Subsequently, the two brothers find themselves in single combat and kill each other, hence, continuing the presumed Oedipus’ family curse. Furthermore, upon their deaths, Creon buries Eteocles in a grandiose commemoration, yet deserts Polyneices’ corpse to rot and be devoured by the birds and dogs; to preclude someone of a burial