Destiny & Character - Discuss in relation to the stories of Gilamesh, Oedipus the king, and The Tradegy of Sohrab and Rostam.
Chan
Destiny & Character
By Chris Chan
English 2110
Destiny & Character
Destiny can be defined as a predetermined course of events that is beyond human power or control. It is considered a force which creates, shapes, guides, rewards, and afflicts human life. The elements of a character’s true personality and attitude make that fate a reality and force the destiny to become the destination. The stories of Gilgamesh, Oedipus the King, and The Tragedy of Sohrab and Rostam all teach the readers that destiny and character are intertwined.
In Sophocles’ Oedipus the King, destiny and Oedipus’ actions determines the ultimate fate. Oedipus tells the Messenger: “Apollo told me once – it is my fate – I must make love with my own mother / shed my father’s blood with my own hands” (418). Oedipus learns this at a young age and desperately attempts to change his fate. He leaves Corinth, where he believes his real parents reside at, thinking he is escaping his unwanted future. Oedipus says, “I heard all that and ran. I abandoned Corinth” (413). Instead of running away from his troubles, he puts the element of fate into motion. As a reckless, hot-headed youth, Oedipus ends up inflicting immortal wounds on his own father after a mere quarrel. He is obviously ignorant of the fact that the victim was his own father. Later, he successfully solves the riddle of Sphinx. Again, without knowledge, he marries the widow queen of Thebes and his very own mother, Jocasta. If he had taken the prophecy more seriously, he would have avoided conflicts or interactions with older people. Instead, he acts in a rash manner. Later, Oedipus says, “Some man at a banquet who had drunk too much shouted out…that I am not my father’s son. Fighting words!” (413). Once he heard that rumor, he should have investigated it deeply. By not paying attention to the oracle and family rumors, Oedipus begins the fate that was ordained him. His own stubbornness and arrogance lead to his fall. Oedipus says to Jocasta when he discovers he murdered his very own father, “Oh no no, I think I’ve just called down a dreadful curse upon myself” (412). Sophocles believed that humans have free will yet they are limited by a larger order that controls all things. By going against the larger celestial order, his tragic fate was determined. Eventually, it is Oedipus who chooses his path, the one of ignorance rather than clarity, and in doing so, he must take responsibility for his actions.
