Tesc Humanities 102 Wa 1

Oedipus the King: Fate and Free Will

Thomas Edison State College

Hum-102 Essay Assignment 1

Abstract

In an essay of 400 to 600 words (with a typical font and spacing, this will be approximately 1½ to 2½ pages), respond to the following question:

• After reading Oedipus the King and viewing the lectures on this play, explain the tension between fate and free will as it exists in the play. How would you describe the difference between the way that ancient Greek culture viewed these concepts and the way we do today? As you discuss the play's view of fate and free will, cite examples of dramatic irony and Oedipus’ conflicts with other characters.

Fate and free will are intertwined and directly related in Oedipus the King. The play itself is categorized as a Greek tragedy and this is evidenced by the cruel irony of Oedipus and his father Laius laying the groundwork for their tragic downfalls. In the play it is fated several times over that the son will kill the father and marry the mother. This fate is foretold not only to King Laius, but also later on to Oedipus himself. All the actions taken in what was thought to be the free will of man only lead to the inevitable prophecy. It even seems that if the institution of the Delphic oracle and the seers didn't exist that this fate could've been avoided altogether. It reminds me of the old saying of "ignorance is bliss". If Laius had not consulted the oracle and learned of this terrible prophecy he would have just continued his life and raised Oedipus to eventually succeed him as the king. What makes the play all that more emotionally immersing is the fact that you contemplate these possibilities the entire time. I can imagine a stadium full of Greek people thinking desperately in their heads or maybe even shouting out loudly to the actors not to travel down that path. I think knowing the ill-fated outcome of this story is what makes it so engaging. Sophocles' use of dramatic irony throughout the...