Oedipus the King is known as a tragedy of destiny. Its tragic effect lies in the contrast between the supreme will of the gods and the vain attempts of mankind to escape the evil that threatens them. The lesson which the deeply moved spectator should learn from the tragedy is submission to the divine will and realization of his own impotence. (102)

Oedipus’s fall is a result of fate because of the events that occur when Oedipus is an infant, a young man, and the king of Thebes.

First of all, Oedipus’s fall is a result of fate because of actions that occur when Oedipus is an infant. King Laius and Queen Jocasta are told by the oracle at Delphi that their first son will kill his father and marry his mother. Jocasta says, “It was foretold to Laius – I shall not s

a murderer monstrous in those I killed. (OR 1187-1190)

Oedipus’s fulfillment of the first half of his prophecy is the most dramatic event that shows how uncontrollable fate can be. As he runs from his prophecy, Oedipus directly causes his terrible fate to transpire. On the road leading away from what he believed was his home, he met King Laius and slew him in a sudden quarrel (Freud 102).

Oedipus is on his way to Thebes where a sphinx’s riddle has plagued the city. The sphinx has already taken the lives of many men who unsuccessfully tried to solve the riddle. Because Oedipus is fated with intelligence and pride, he is able to solve the sphinx’s riddle and save Thebes from the plague. Out of all the men who previously tried, Oedipus is the only one able to solve the riddle proving that fate cannot be controlled (OR).

However, by running away from Corinth, Oedipus is running right into his fate as he approaches Thebes.

Choices made along the road are yours and yours alone, but the gods have already decided where you are going.

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