Member-only story
An Essay on Luckless Oedipus and His Fate
In the play Oedipus by Sophocles, Oedipus is forced to face fate as his primary opponent. His struggle with this strong opponent defines his character by bringing out all of his tragic flaws (hamartia) along with his positive qualities, while leading him to his tragic downfall.
Fate is shown in the play as being the primary opponent by the dialogues: the chorus as well as Oedipus repeatedly mention fate, and the gods who represent fate — such as Apollo the god of prophets and sight — are frequently brought into the play.
Along with identifying his character, Oedipus’ struggle defines the play in the context of being a Greek Tragedy, since the struggle portrays the characteristics that are relative to Greek Tragedies. Greek Tragedies contain tragic heroes unified in time and place, position and reversal of the hero’s fortune, a secret that is exposed in recognition, and catharsis from the audience in the cause and effect of the play.
Fate as the Primary Opponent
Evidence of fate being Oedipus’ opponent in the play is shown in Scene 3 when the chorus states that “Apollo is nowhere clear in honour,” (910). This line is an example of the god Apollo representing the role of the gods linked with the role of fate in the play: the gods represent fate. The chorus declares, “I shall never cease to hold the God as our protector,” (882). In this line, the chorus is outlining Oedipus’ growing tyranny. They don’t approve of Oedipus ruling with his free will alone, and would rather have the gods ruling them with fate. This is portraying Oedipus’ struggle against fate to keep ruling with his free will.
Free Will and Fate Are Opposing Forces
The two lines by the chorus portray the fact that free will and fate are two opposing themes in the play, since the chorus can either be on the side of fate or on the side of free will. Oedipus’ growing tyranny is a characteristic of his rash behaviour which leads the chorus to turn away from him and to the gods instead. This rashness in him is one of his tragic flaws that will lead to his…
