Fates Role in Oedipus the King

In the Greek tragedy Oedipus the King written by Sophocles, the antagonist is fate. The theme of fate is deeply intertwined in the plot. In this play, all meet their fate despite trying to escape it. Two characters bring about a fate worse than their original fate as punishment for trying to cheat fate.

The first instance-involving fate occurs when Oedipus sends Creon to the temple of Apollo to find the fate of Thebes and how to rid Thebes of the plague the people are suffering from (Sophocles, lines 70 - 74). Oedipus says, "I sent Meoeceus son of Creon, Jocasta's brother, to Apollo, that he might learn there by what act or word I could save this city" (Sophocles, lines 70-74). Apollo is the god the people go to because he is the god of prophecy and of healing. It is important to note that Apollo made the prophecy to Laius and Jocasta that they would bear a son who would kill Laius, and Apollo made the prophecy to Oedipus that he would kill his father and lay with his mother.

Fate is next brought into the play when Creon sends for the blind prophet of Apollo, Teiresias. Against his will, Teiresias reveals Oedipus' fate. Oedipus is so anxious to find the murderer of Laius that he will not give up until the murderer is found. Oedipus relentlessly pursues the truth, unwilling to give up until the truth is found.

After Oedipus repeatedly provokes Teiresias, Teiresias reveals what Oedipus is and who Oedipus really is. Teiresias says to Oedipus, "I say that with those you love best you live in foulest shame unconsciously and do not see where you are in calamity" (Sophocles, lines 366). Teiresias is alluding to the fact that Oedipus unknowingly is married to his mother and has produced offspring through her. Oedipus is too blind to comprehend what Teiresias is saying. Teiresias goes on to say, "You are a poor wretch to taunt me with the very insults which every one soon will heap upon yourself" (Sophocles, lines 371 - 373).