"Irony" in Oedipus the King

English 112
March 28,2003
Victim of Fate
The events in Oedipus the King, written by Sophocles, show a relationship of man's free will existing within the cosmic order or fate. Man was free to choose and was ultimately held responsible for his own actions. Both the concept of fate and free will played an integral part in Oedipus' destruction. Although he was a victim of fate, he was not controlled by it. Oedipus was destined from birth to someday marry his mother and to murder his father. This prophecy, as warned by the oracle of Apollo at Delphi was unconditional and would come to pass, no matter what he may have done to avoid it. His past actions were determined by fate, but what he did in Thebes, he did so of his own will.
When queen Jocasta found that she and king Laius were to have child, she went to consult an oracle for guidance. However, Teriresias had a devastating prophecy that their first-born son would kill the king his father, and marry his mother. In order to preven...