The Role of Fate in Oedipus Rex

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Recommended: Discuss the character of Oedipus in Oedipus Rex

Fate plays a very important role in Oedipus Rex as it is clearly inescapable and is not subject to change by free will, or even the will of the Gods. We learn of the prophecy given to Laius and Jocasta that their son will kill his father and marry his mother. Upon the birth of Oedipus, Laius and Jocasta send for a shepherd to come and take him away to be killed so that the prophecy cannot be fulfilled. Throughout the story we are continually shown how various characters efforts to escape their fate lead to nothing but fulfillment of that exact fate; and that man cannot deny his sorrow and suffering by escaping the fate that provokes it.
King Laius and Queen Jocasta of Thebes learn of a prophecy that their son will kill his father and then marry his mother. Upon the birth of their son, the kind and queen summon a shepherd to take the baby and kill it so that the prophecy of patricide and incest does not come true. However, the shepherd cannot kill the child so he gives him to another shepherd. That shepherd takes the baby back to his home city of Corinth where he is adopted b...

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