REVISE THIS FIRST SENTENCE HERE!!!!!!!!****** In ancient greek culture, the idea of having gods determining the fate of the civilians was common. The actions taken by the citizens are purely based around fate, and in no way are related to doing things by choice. By knowing that the consequences of their actions are not controlled by themselves, the ancient greek citizens realize that they will not be the cause of their problems, as fate takes over and controls the results of their actions, which ultimately leading to their downfall. There are many sources for the downfall of the characters, however, fate is uncontrollable and takes over any situation and causes problems. try to rephrasing during editing because this is repetitive The one …show more content…
Oedipus was born with an unfortunate fate, which ultimately lead to his downfall. Despite his destiny, Oedipus attempts to change his fate, which is shown in the first act:
TIRESIAS. None of you knows- and I will never reveal my dreadful secrets, not to say your own.
OEDIPUS. What? You know and you won’t tell? You’re bent on betraying us, destroying Thebes?
(Sophocles 1.375-1.377) In hopes of having the prophecy changed, Oedipus argued to Tiresias that what he was being told was a lie. At this point in the story, Oedipus was searching for answers of who murdered Laius, the former king of THEBES. Based on the actions Oedipus has taken during his argument with Tiresias, his true character traits are revealed. Oedipus displays stubbornness during this conversation because of his denial of the situation. It is made clear the Oedipus is blind from the truth, however, it is his denial of the truth that ultimately causes his stubbornness. It can be assumed that Oedipus will still attempt to change his fate because of his disbelief in his fate. Although Oedipus will try to prevent his fate from coming true, one can clearly acknowledge it will be leading Oedipus to his
In the play, Oedipus the King written by Sophocles, the protagonist Oedipus finds himself in many conflicts, most of which seem to be a result of a combination of the actions he took. The play addresses that Oedipus is his own worst enemy, who is too determined to find out who he is and too proud to listen to the Gods. He thinks he can get out of following through on his own fate. So, because of that he doomed himself.
The ancient Greeks were fond believers of Fate. Fate, defined according to Webster’s, is “the principle or determining cause or will by which things in general are believed to come to be as they are or events to happen as the do.” The Greeks take on Fate was slightly modified. They believed that the gods determined Fate: “…fate, to which in a mysterious way the gods themselves were subject, was an impersonal force decreeing ultimate things only, and unconcerned with day by day affairs.” It was thought that these gods worked in subtle ways; this accounts for character flaws (called harmatia in Greek). Ancient Greeks thought the gods would alter a person’s character, in order for that person to suffer (or gain from) the appropriate outcome. Such was the case in Oedipus’s story.
The concept of life can be a very complex journey that not many are able to comprehend. For some it could be an adventure full of unexpected surprises and misfortunes, while for others it can be a walk in the park on a calm sunny afternoon. Some of us think of life as an ever changing day to day pattern, but what happens when you’re told exactly what your destiny is and that there is no possible way of changing it? In the play Oedipus the King by Sophocles the destiny of a man whose life is full of misery and despair is forsaken by the fact that he’s bound to kill his father and destined to marry his mother. Oedipus is his own worst enemy due to his choices throughout the play, as well as his tragic flaws which are stubborness, naiveness and ignorance.
Oedipus has a "tragic flaw" that leads to his demise, and efforts to attribute one to him to him seem forced . In his quest to uncover the truth and rid Thebes of the plague, he exhibits all the heroic qualities that made him the savior of Thebes during the Sphinx's reign of terror. Oedipus as a victim of a fate he could not control. He had enormous control over the events of his "destiny" through the numerous decisions he makes. He chooses to believe the oracle and leave Corinth.
that the victim was his own father. Later, he successfully solves the problem. riddle of the Sphinx. Again, without knowledge, he marries the widow queen. of Thebes and his very own mother, Jocasta.
...that fate. Events that lead to other events will eventually lead one to their fate. “Oedipus the King” is a great play that sets an example of what fate is. Oedipus chooses to flee from home, in attempt to avoid the god’s statement of his fate from coming true. However, Oedipus’s decision for fleeing is what was necessary to make his fate come true. Undoubtedly, this is what was meant to happen because Oedipus allowed it to. Perhaps if Oedipus ignored the god and never did a thing then perhaps the outcome could have been different for Oedipus. However it did not turn out that way and the choices that Oedipus made is what led him to his doom.
After Oedipus becomes king of Thebes, the people of Thebes become plagued. Oedipus’ feels responsible for saving the people of Thebes. Oedipus’ pride to save the city later turns to pity after he divulges the sin he has committed. His pride forces him to find the traitor who murdered Laius. He eventually finds out that he is the sinner and gouges his eyes out to prove that he is not worthy of sight.
In Sophocles ' Oedipus the King, the themes of fate and free will are very strong throughout the play. Only one, however, brought about Oedipus ' downfall and death. Both points could be argued to great effect. In ancient Greece, fate was considered to be a rudimentary part of daily life. Every aspect of life depended and was based upon fate (Nagle 100). It is common belief to assume that mankind does indeed have free will and each individual can decide the outcome of his or her life. Fate and free will both decide the fate of Oedipus the King.
Rejecting the truth and being oblivious to all of the apparent signs will lead to his disastrous end. Sophocles expresses the next chronological action of Oedipus’ mistakes that tragically ruins him. Denial is the act of proclaiming that something is not true. Ironically, Oedipus often does this when the truth is presented to him. He lets his pride get in the way and builds a wall to protect his ego. For example, Oedipus says “much as you want. Your words mean nothing-futile” (lines 416). This is the scene where Tiresias finally revealed the truth to Oedipus because of his persistent desire to know. Tiresias told Oedipus that he was the one responsible for Laius’ death. Oedipus quickly dismissed the acquisition, once again letting his pride blind him from the truth. While at the same time, his stubbornness is getting in the way of listening to Tiresias. By Oedipus making this statement, it is clear that he is too stubborn to hear what anyone else has to say, especially if it is negative. It is also very ironic how in the beginning, Oedipus badly wanted Tiresias to tell him what information he knew about Laius’ killing, but when Tiresias was forced to say it, Oedipus immediately silenced Tiresias. Oedipus did not want to listen to him nor did he give him a chance to explain. He also accuses other people and puts the blame on them whenever he is uneasy
Oedipus choses to seek the truth about the murderer of Laius, honourably indeed to save the people of Thebes, but through this choice he in a sense administers his own lethal injection. Oedipus is warned about the consequences of his actions by Teresias when he prophesises the outcome of the search for truth. Due to Oedipus' ego which is built up by the pedestal that the people of Thebes have put him on, he does not accept the help of Teresias and continues to search. His opinion of himself being above the Gods leads him to then again shun the help of Jocasta who once again warns him of the consequences of the search for truth. Oedipus' persistence lands him our criticism, at this point we cannot criticise Jocasta as she tries to help him, and warn him about what will happen is he persists.
Oedipus suspects that Creon may have killed Laius and he asks him questions about the day Laius got murdered. They go back and forth blaming each other on the death of the king and Oedipus yells, “You cannot prove me guilty of blood” (Sophocles, 41). Oedipus is outraged by Creon’s words of frustration, where he blames Oedipus for the death of King Laius. Oedipus is completely confused as to how he could possibly kill his own father without knowing. His anger towards the situation proves that he did not intend to kill his father; rather, fate kicked in and dictated his actions. After Jocasta and Oedipus exchange their stories about their prophecies and understand that their fate has actually come true, Oedipus cries, “May I be sooner dead And blotted from the face of earth, than live To bear the scars of such vile circumstances “ (Sophocles, 48). Oedipus is authentically sorry for killing his father and shows this by being angry with himself. He accepts the idea that he will have consequences and take responsibility for the death of Laius. By showing feelings of sorrow and disappointment in himself, Oedipus demonstrates that he is a caring person. He did not purposely murder King Laius and it only happened because Oedipus’ fate could not be stopped at any
Poor Oedipus discovers that he had killed his father and married his mother at the climax of the play when the Shepard is questioned. He states "I stand revealed at last - cursed in my birth, cursed in marriage, cursed in the lives I cut down with these hands!"³ He then finds his mother after she has committed suicide and proceeds to gouge out his own eyes with her brooches.
Oedipus was a victime of fate, his futur was foretold by an Oracle, he had no way of knowing that his wife was his mother nor that the stranger he killed was his father. Oedipus could not prevent his own downfall. Oedipus was the king of Thebes, he became king when he cured the city of a deadly plague. He cured the plague by solving the riddle of the mythical creature, the Sphinkx. Now the city is suffering from another plague and as king Oedipus must solve the riddle of this one.
The impetus for the downfall of Oedipus, "Known far and wide by name" (Sophocles, 1), is his anger. Enraged he slew King Laius and in anger he hastily pursued his own ruination. From the aforementioned recriminations of Tiresias to the conflict with his brother-in-law Creon (his ill temper again displayed - "Tempers such as yours most grievous to their own selves to bear,... .(Sophocles, 25); through the revealing exchanges with his wife/mother Jocasta and her slave (whose pity saved the infant Oedipus), damming insight grows in a logical sequence, all the while fueled by the Oedipal rage. Realizing the heinous nature of his actions, Oedipus blinds himself in a fit of anger and remorse - now, as Tiresias, he can see.
Throughout the play, Oedipus tries to change his fate. When he confirms through two messengers and an oracle that he is destined to marry his mother and kill his father, he completely panics. He knows that is something he definitely wants to avoid, so he decided he would attempt to change his fate. But at that time, he did not realize that your fate is your fate and it will not change.