Oedipus and Antigone
... Could this statement by Oedipus be a cruel twist of fate or his own self-determination? In this essay I will be exploring the presence of the themes free will, fate, and self-determination in two works by Sophocles, Oedipus the King and Antigone, and the response it elicits from the reader. Is Oedipus a victim of the gods, their prophecies, and destiny, or his own fatal flaws? I am under the impression that Sophocles wrote Oedipus the King to underscore the uselessness of trying to avoid ones fate. ... The gods are punishing Oedipus, it seems, because he tires to escape his fate. OedipusElife is most definitely more directed to a predetermined fate than anything else. After all, the prophecies of the oracle did come true and the fate of Oedipus was outlined even before he was born. ... Oedipus has upset that great chain of command by his blatant attempt to defy his fate. Oedipus was more of a victim of fate rather than a participator. This made me feel a great sense of pity toward Oedipus. ... After the climax, in which Oedipus learned of his deeds, he exclaimed that, I stand revealed at last Ecursed in my birth, cursed in marriage, cursed in the lives I cut down with these handsE(232)! The curse is also evident when Oedipus says, Wasnt I born fro torment? ... I feel that here Oedipus is blaming the gods for his misfortunes. ... By seeing Oedipuss reaction after he realized what he had done, I felt a great deal of pity for him. ... I have always felt we decide our life, but to see that this was not true for Oedipus and nay not be true for me really stirred up some emotions. ... Better to live at random, best we canEake such things for shadows, nothing at all- Live, Oedipus, as if theres no tomorrowE(215)!