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Oedipus The King: Free Will Vs Fate - Online Term Papers

Oedipus The King: Free Will Vs Fate

The events in Oedipus the King, written by Sophocles, show an underlying relationship of man's free will existing within the cosmic order or fate which the Greeks believed guided the universe in a harmonious purpose. Man was free to choose and was ultimately held responsible for his own actions. Both the concept of fate and free will played an itregal part in Oedipus' destruction. Although he was a victim of fate, he was not controlled by it. Oedipus was destined from birth to someday marry his mother and to murder his father. This prophecy, as warned by the oracle of Apollo at Delphi was unconditional and inevitably would come to pass, no matter what he may have done to avoid it. His past ...

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"Upon the murderer I invoke this curse- whether he is one man and all unknown, or one of many- may he wear out his life in misery or doom! If with my knowledge he lives at my hearth, I pray that I myself may feel my curse." (pg. 438; lines 266-271)
In order for Sophecles' Greek audience to relate to the tragic figure, he had to have some type of flaws or an error of ways. This brought the character down to a human level, invoking in them the fear that "it could happen to them." And Oedipus certainly is not one without flaws. His pride, ingnorance, insolence and disbelief in the gods, and unrelenting quest for the truth ultimately contributed to his destuction. When Oedipus was told (after threatening Teiresias), that he was responsible for the murder of Laius, he became enraged and calls the old oracle a liar. He ran away from his home, Corinth, in hopes of outsmarting the gods divine will. Like his father, Oedipus also sought ways to escape the horrible destiny told by the ...

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Oedipus The King: Free Will Vs Fate. (2004, March 16). Retrieved January 10, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Oedipus-King-Free-Will-Vs-Fate/4653

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"Oedipus The King: Free Will Vs Fate." Essayworld.com. March 16, 2004. Accessed January 10, 2026. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Oedipus-King-Free-Will-Vs-Fate/4653.

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 3/16/2004 08:02:10 AM
Category: English
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 1128
Pages: 5

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