In the ancient Greek lifestyle, the religious belief of the people was extremely important. The gods were believed to control everything, from everyday activities to rare and interesting events. Those who obeyed the gods received good fortune, whereas those who did otherwise were sure to be led to peril. This is why Oedipus was so misfortunate. Although the unfortunate destiny set out for him by the gods was not entirely his fault, trying to avoid his fate was not exactly an intelligent idea. His free will and determination to escape his horrifying destiny was partly responsible for what brought his downfall upon him.
Oedipus" father and mother, Laius and Jocasta, were strictly forbidden on behalf of the gods not to have a child. Should they do so, this child was cursed to murder his father and impregnate his mother. However, Laius and Jocasta paid no regard to this warning and bore a child, who they abandoned and was later found and reared by a wealthy couple in a near by city. Once Oedipus had grown, an oracle told him that he would kill his father and marry his mother, and so he left who he believed to be his family in a search of a better future.
Oedipus" free will lead him to make many decisions, and these often lead to undesirable consequences. Firstly, Oedipus" major choice was to leave his home at all. His determination to avoid this terrible curse resulted in him moving to the next step of the gods" plan, leaving a place of little importance and finding a place of much more. Secondly, he meets his real father at a crossroad and refuses to let his father and his men pass before him, and Laius" herald killed one of Oedipus" horses. Oedipus" anger him to murder Laius" men and Laius himself. This was done out of fury and simply because he could. His youth and agility gave him an advantage and, in a blatant display of free will, he uses this advantage to complete the first half of the prophecy.