Introduction
Life culminates in countless choices, each holding the power to steer us in unpredictable directions. Common sense tells us that wise decisions lead to prosperity, while ill-advised ones may lead to hardship. This timeless concept has reverberated throughout human history, stretching back to ancient Greek civilization. Among the literary pieces of that era, the tragic play “Oedipus the King” delves into the theme of fate and free will. In Sophocles’ “Oedipus the King,” the interplay between fate and free will is explored through Oedipus’ choices, demonstrating that free will, while seemingly influential, ultimately remains inexorably entwined with the unalterable course of destiny.
Free Will in Oedipus’ Life
Oedipus’s free will seems to be free, but it ends up being a part of his fate. Just as in our lives, Oedipus faces a pivotal crossroads, where his choices hold the power to chart a different course for his future. His journey begins with the decision to send for Tiresias, the blind prophet, and push further into the investigation. At this juncture, Oedipus could have chosen to desist, to forgo seeking the prophecy that warned him not to press the issue any further.
However, Oedipus’ insatiable quest for knowledge compels him to summon the servant, leading him down a path that will eventually culminate in his own downfall. Some researchers argue that “everything Sophocles’ Oedipus does on the stage is within his free will” (Chen 1852). Indeed, his actions can be defined as free will, which is still a part of the scenario written just for Oedipus. The fateful words uttered by the drunken man at the banquet, “You are not your father’s son,” might have been disregarded, as his parents vehemently denied the claim (Sophocles 205lines 859-860). Yet, Oedipus’ choice to heed the cryptic oracle of Apollo sets in motion a sequence of events that seal his tragic fate.
Oedipus’ choice to act on this revelation results in his flight from Corinth and his eventual unwitting fulfillment of the prophecy. As he recollects, his journey takes him to the very location where King Laius met his demise. In the pursuit of truth, Oedipus’ free will and choices unwittingly become the instruments of his own destruction, demonstrating the profound link between human agency and fate.
The Concept of Fate
The theme of fate permeates the story, casting an ever-present shadow over the characters and steering them toward the unfolding tragedy. At the heart of this theme lie the various prophecies and oracles that populate the narrative, issued by sources like the Delphic oracles and the seer Tiresias. These prophetic utterances stand as foreboding harbingers of future events. The most pivotal prophecy forewarns Oedipus of his grievous fate: “You are fated to couple with your mother, you will bring a breed of children into the light no man can bear to see—you will kill your father, the one who gave you life!” (Sophocles 205 lines 873-875).
Despite Oedipus’ best efforts to avert this predestined outcome, he ultimately finds himself entangled within its inescapable web. This element of Oedipus’s fate underscores the irresistible power of destiny. Furthermore, this destiny, with its ominous implications, extends its reach beyond Oedipus, touching the lives of other characters like Jocasta and Laius, who, in their efforts to elude their prophesied misfortunes, unwillingly become participants in the tragedy. Consequently, fate’s role in the play is a persistent reminder of the inescapable nature of destiny.
The Interplay of Fate and Free Will
Throughout the play, Oedipus continuously tries to defy his fate, making choices that will seemingly divert him from his preordained destiny. There are numerous instances in the play where Oedipus’ free will appears to clash with fate, most notably in his tireless pursuit of the truth. He believes in his agency, which is proved by his determination to unearth the identity of King Laius’ murderer: “Now my curse on the murderer.
Whoever he is, a lone man unknown in his crime or one among many, let that man drag out his life in agony, step by painful step” (Sophocles 172 lines 280-283). He believes that fate can be avoided and that his intentions are more decisive than what was predestined. Paradoxically, however, it is precisely the actions that aim to avert the outcome that make up the path towards it. Essentially, the way to fate was predetermined in the same way that fate itself was. There is already an end written for all, and it is not always obvious what will lead us to it.
Seeking the Truth
In people’s lives, there are numerous moments when they end up at a crossroads and are unaware of how one choice of theirs can influence the course of everything. This concept is reflected in the fork symbol repeatedly appearing in the play. Only in hindsight can we grasp how decisions taken at these pivotal junctures ultimately lead us along a path, be it one of success or failure.
Oedipus’ initial choice to seek prophecy sets the tragic wheels in motion as he seeks to uncover the truth of his parentage. At the fateful crossroads, where “three roads meet,” his pride and anger drive him to kill Laius (Sophocles 201 line 790). Jocasta’s choice to consult Apollo and subsequently give her son away to be killed also contributes to the collective downfall. Even the shepherd’s choice not to kill the infant Oedipus but rather to abandon him ultimately links Oedipus and Jocasta’s fates.
It becomes evident that seeking knowledge and wisdom, which often belongs solely to the divine, parallels the Christian story of Adam and Eve. Just as Eve sought wisdom beyond her given boundaries, the characters in the play strive to know their fate, unknowingly forging the very path they fear the most: “What should a man fear? It’s all chance; chance rules our lives. Not a man on earth can see a day ahead, groping through the dark” (Sophocles 215 lines 1069-1071). This shows that attempting to reach the forbidden knowledge is useless in the face of fate. The man will never be wiser than fate and can never outsmart it.
Conclusion
The essence of Sophocles’ play is the belief that gods predetermine fate, and all the actions in one’s life will inevitably lead to it. Free will is nothing more than a part of this path, which cannot change the outcome. Fate is ever-present and cannot be separated from one’s perceived free will. The search for truth will not help one outrun destiny and deceive gods, as divine knowledge cannot be obtained by those who are not meant to have it.
Works Cited
Chen, Kai. “Determinism in Disguise: Reputation of the Theory that Sophokles’ Oedipus Has Free Will.” Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, vol. 664, 2022, pp. 1852-1856.
Sophocles. The Three Theban Plays: Antigone, Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus. Translated by Robert Fagles, Penguin Books, 1984. Web.