Oedipus the King

Oedipus the King

Through the history of mankind, literature has toyed with the notion of controlling one’s own destiny and not simply falling victim to a predetermined fate. This idea–that we are in command of our own lives, that we are capable of altering our destiny–has been, and still is today, the central theme of countless works of literature and schools of thought.  Such a thought is as enticing as it is reassuring. However, Ancient Greek literature was largely focused on precisely the inverse of this idea – that one’s destiny is inflexible. This is portrayed masterfully by Ancient Greek tragedian Sophocles in his famous play Oedipus the King through the compelling character, Oedipus. Upon hearing a prophecy that their son would murder his father and marry his mother, Oedipus’ parents (rulers of the city of Thebes) take drastic measures to see that such a foretelling would never come true – by having their son murdered. Yet it was their plan, and the persistent pride and stubbornness of Oedipus that ultimately lead to the horrific prognostication coming to fruition. Fate ultimately wins out and the prophecy is fulfilled, undeterred by the actions of Oedipus and his parents in their attempts at avoiding the predicted outcome – outlining the idea that one’s life is not in their own hands.

Throughout the story Oedipus calls on several witnesses to question them in attempts at gathering information. While he is warned several times, and pleaded with to halt his search several more, he listens to no one and presses on until the truth is discovered. At lines 1300 to 1310 Oedipus realizes what he has done and is destroyed by the discovery. This is the moment of clarity, and horror, where he sees he has fulfilled the prophecy. The author’s word choice of this select passage highlights the inability to change your fate and the destructiveness of uncovering the truth for Oedipus. The Shepard reveals that Oedipus was born for “pain”, hinting that there was nothing his life was destined for misery and that there was nothing he could have done to change it. “Pain” is a familiar word to everyone and is applicable in all of our lives, as it is a broad term involving physical, emotional, and psychological affliction. Its familiarity with humans makes it a simple, yet profound word for the audience to connect to – emphasizing the all-encompassing hurt Oedipus was to inevitably experience. Upon seeing the truth, Oedipus uses the word “cursed” three times – in his birth, marriage, and in the murder of his father. The word “cursed” carries a distinctly strong and negative connotation, which is rather appropriate given the gravity of what he has realized. Fate dealt him his hand before he even saw the cards, knowing all the while it would win. It wasn’t until Oedipus’ incessant need-to-know and foolish pride forced fate’s hand to lay the cards on the table, that he truly understood his destiny – consequently leading to his own downfall.

            This passage heavily contains the concept of fate, its existence in the world painted in the play and the lives of the characters in it, and the raw inevitability of its power.  And while fate played a significant role in the outcome of this tragedy, it was not the primary reason for Oedipus’ undoing. Human imperfection is the true source of the tragedy. Blinded by his human imperfection (pride and irrationality), Oedipus started a chain of events that concluded with his own incrimination and destruction. Had he dropped his investigation and listened to those he was interrogating, the truth may have been concealed and his life kept from falling into shambles – at least for the time being. Even the Shepherd with whom Oedipus was conversing, displayed his "imperfection" when he chose to disobey his orders and spare Oedipus out of "pity". This decision, while playing into fates overall plan, allowed the play's tragic conclusion to occur. While it is true that fate did/does have a grand scheme, it is one’s choices/actions that ultimately decides how fate chooses to reveal its plan.