Fate vs. Freewill

At the moment of his birth, Oedipus seems to have a pre-determined set of events that would lead to his own destruction. Although he has free will, the decisions he makes are set within the limits of fate and end up bringing the prophecy to life. Sophocles suggests that humans have free will, but are limited by higher order that controls our path in life. For ex

Oedipus believes Apollo's words about his future and leaves Corinth in hopes to change the future, but Sophocles shows how trying to outsmart fate will only lead one to it. In fact, Oedipus wavers between believing in prophets. Oedipus further shows his confidence in the prophets when asks what he can do to help save his city. Oedipus states, "I sent Creon, my wife's own brother, to Dephi-Apollo the prophet's oracle-to learn what I might do or say to save our city." Oedipus receives his answer and declares it as the truth. He does not second-guess what fate has in store for his city and knows nothing can be done about it. After hearing the news that, "all would be well", Oedipus replies, "Of course, but what were the God's words? There's no hope and nothing to fear in what you've said so far." Oedipus accepts what will come of the city's fate. He trusts Apollo's words and must find the murderer of King Laius in order to rid the city of the plague. What he doesn't know, is that the seeking help from the plauge brings him a step closer to his fate.

The author shows us that his free willed decisions and actions cannot defeat fate. Once he left Corinth, Oedipus believed he outsmarted his own destiny. Many years passed and he thought he accomplished everything he could to avoid marrying his mother and murdering his father. While summoning the blind prophet Tiresias to find out the identity of King Liaus' murderer, Oedipus is put face to face with the harsh reality that he may be his father's killer. Tiresia warns, "… you and your loved ones live together in infamy, you cannot see how far you've gone in guilt." Here Tiresias reveals that Oedipus and his mother live in sin and has no idea that he has been walking his fateful path despite doing everything he can to avoid it. After hearing his words, Oedipus' confidence in prophecy changes. He begins to doubt the power of Gods in foreseeing one's future. Oedipus ignores the prophet and pays no attention to these "absurdities" and "riddles". He refuses to believe fate has control of his life. Conversations with his wife, Jocasta, Oedipus' doubts the prophets more. Jocasta tells him, "Listen to me and learn some peace of

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