"In the play, 'Oedipus the King' Sophocles argues that it is fate not the individual which controls human destiny."

Authors Avatar

“In the play, ‘Oedipus the King’ Sophocles argues that it is fate not the individual which controls human destiny.”

The Ancient Greeks believed that the gods predetermined one’s fate before their birth and that it was something could not be avoided or controlled by the individual.  “Oedipus the King,” written by the Greek playwright Sophocles supports these beliefs.  The story of Oedipus was a well-known myth to the Greeks, he was fated to kill his father and share his mother’s bed.  The Ancient Greeks did not question this myth, they believed firmly in it as they did with all myths, and believed that Oedipus could not escape his fate.

The fate of Oedipus begins prior to the play, when his father Laius received a prophecy about his newborn child, whom his wife Jocasta had just given birth to. Apollo’s oracle foretells that the infant is destined to kill his father, upon hearing this Laius gives the infant to a Shepherd, who is ordered to “expose the infant” on Mount Cithaeron.  Rather than experiencing the guilt of their child’s blood on their hands, the Ancient Greeks preferred to dispose of an infant in this manner.  Laius’ action of immediately believing the prophecy and trying to avoid it, illustrates the strict belief that the Ancient Greek society had in fate.  There was no questioning the authenticity of the prophecy or the fact that it would not come true.  Laius, by killing his child has tried to take destiny into his own hands and avert his fate but he does not succeed, because eventually his own son does kill him.  The Ancient Greeks believed that if the father abandons the son, disaster will result, which is what happens to Laius.

Join now!

Years later in Corinth, Oedipus the “handsome prince” of King Polybus and Queen Merope, discovers his fate.  Unknown to Oedipus, he was given as a “gift” to the couple many years before, a common practice in Ancient Greek society, if a couple were infertile, a child was given to them as a gift. At a dinner party one night, a drunken man remarks to Oedipus that he is “not his father’s son.”  After hearing this, Oedipus’ sets out towards the Delphic Oracle of Apollo to seek answers.  The Ancient Greeks admired the beauty of Delphi and believed deeply in ...

This is a preview of the whole essay