The Role Of Fate In Oedipus The King
In Greek mythology the Gods play an important role, they are the ones who direct the birth and life of people. Every individual's fate was thought of as a string spun, estimated, and cut by the three Fates, Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos. In the story 'Oedipus the King' destiny and fate were the primary subject. the idea of destiny and choice has a necessary impact on Oedipus ' devastation and eventually the passing of his family. Bound to wed his mom and murder his dad, Oedipus was guided by destiny. At the point when Oedipus learns of his destiny, he quickly attempts to avoid it, as did his mom and father but it was too late. The destiny of a person is written before his birth and cannot be avoided.
The ancient Greeks admit the role of Fate as a reality that affects their life. During that time people highly believed in destiny and fate. Destiny was the desire of the Gods and people believed them and think that nobody can change it. In this play, the main thing was the prophecy about Oedipus which they tried to avoid by giving him to someone else. They went against destiny, but destiny brought them to the same point where they were started. Destiny showed them that it cannot be changed. Fate is written by Gods and nobody can change that.
Since the beginning fate start playing with him. After he was born a prediction existed that he would execute his father and he will marry his mother and will have kids with her. After understanding that what the Oracle has said is working out, reality of what has happened has still not struck home; he won't relinquish his confidence in himself yet will see himself out to the end. The king believed on that prophecy but try to avoid that by not raising his son. So, his parents disown him on the third day of his birth. The shepherd who expected to toss him in the pile of Kithairón and let him die. He was given to the someone else to avoid the prophecy. At the point when Oedipus finds his parents are not who they appear to be “How dreadful the knowledge of the truth can be When there’s no help in truth. ” These lines show that how helpless he was when he knew the truth to which Laius attempted to control destiny by sending Oedipus away, Oedipus likewise attempted to change his fate, by leaving Corinth Pride and self-assurance were likewise the reasons why he figured he could get away from his fate. He imagined that by leaving Corinth, he will have the option to change his fate and revamp his own future. Worried that the prediction might be satisfied, he left Corinth with the goal that he won't kill his very own dad and wed his own mom. This mirrors the convictions of the people of Greeks that changing destiny was vain and laden with threat, and this is additionally uncovered by remarks the tune makes around the end ' Let every man in mankind's frailty consider his last day; and let none presume on his good fortune until he find Life, at his death, a memory without pain '.
Oedipus shows his character brightness and arrogance in what he sees as his gallant quest for the killer of Laius. He seeks after the secret tirelessly, certain that its answer will yield him a similar wonder he delighted in when he addressed the riddle of the Sphinx. Oedipus' confidence that he has dealt with his destiny blinds him to it and starts the fall that will end in his exacting visual impairment. Along these lines, he turns into the injured individual as opposed to the conqueror of Fate.
In the Greek drama there is always a tragedy which leads to a very tragic ending. As in this play the tragedy which was caused by the fate and was unavoidable leads to a very devasted ending. Oedipus killed his father, which he doesn’t know at that time. When he knew about the prophecy his wife who is also his mother hanged herself. He lost his eyes and willing to get any punishment cause of his acts. His arrogance played an important role in his downfall. “Just send me home. You bear your burdens, I’ll bear mine. It’s better that way, please believe me”. His over confidence helped his prophecy to be complete.
In conclusion fate was already written and nobody can change that, but it might be less tragic if the Oedipus acts properly and sensible. His mother and wife death can be avoided but due to his arrogance he lost his mother and his Kingdom. In short nobody can deny his fate and it’s the God will and nobody can go against the God.
