- In Oedipus Rex, is Oedipus a helpless victim of fate or were there ever times when he could have acted to prevent his own downfall?
“Destiny (fate) is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for it is a thing to be achieved.” –(William Jennings Bryan) Some may disagree with this quote, but I find it in fact very true. Although fate does seem to have control over most conditions, I believe that choice has more to do with this play then it's really recognized to. In the Greek play Oedipus Rex freewill and fate are two contesting characteristics of King Oedipus, Sophocles blends throughout the play. Oedipus is responsible for the tragedy of his downfall. Although Oedipus was the hero in the story, his life was filled with so many tragedies, some of which he brought upon himself due to his pride. Sophocles uses the literary device, characterization to portray Oedipus as the tragic hero. The tragic hero is the character who faces the most difficult challenges in the story which reveals Oedipus’s battle between fate vs. choice.
In the beginning of the play, Oedipus is characterized as a very affectionate, boastful, confident, and a leader that contains careless swiftness. He faces some difficult events in the play that includes the city of Thebes suffering from a plague and a drought. His over confident and prideful mentality were some factors that led to him being a tragic hero by choice. It explains in the quote that “Here I am myself you all know me, the world knows my fame: I am Oedipus,” by the climax of this tragedy, however, Oedipus’s name will have become a curse, so that his suppliants are now terrified even to hear it and cries, “You, you’re that man?” Sophocles establishes this idea in order to characterize Oedipus as a leader with too much pride. As the play progresses, Oedipus takes action by choice when Creon informs him about the murder of Laius that happened years back. In the text, “I’ll start again-I’ll bring it all to light myself!” Oedipus’ swiftness in wanting to take control brings about his choice in wanting to do so. The reader gains a sense that Oedipus is taking the initiative to bring all these things upon him; Sophocles uses this to suggest the conflict of fate vs. choice. This is an understanding of how choice overpowers fate in Oedipus’ decision making allows the reader to realize the importance of choice in the primary issue.
During the play, Tiresias, a blind prophet, comes in led by a boy. He tells Oedipus that “…the killer you are seeking is yourself.” Oedipus refuses to believe this, and suspects a political scheme with the objective of dethroning him. Oedipus had a choice in believing blind prophet, Tiresias’ truths but his pride wouldn’t let him.
Sophocles molds Oedipus’ characterization that not only is he affectionate for his people, but he’s cruel to those who tell him the truth. It is explained in the text “…you scum of the earth, you’d enrage a heart of stone!...and given eyes I’d say you did the killing single-handed!” Oedipus also mocks his blindness, while Tiresias curses Oedipus that he will soon be blind. Oedipus is characterized as arrogant because of the tone he uses when speaking to the prophet Tiresias. Oedipus had a choice of remaining calm, asking Tiresias why and how he came up with his truths instead of being rude. Sophocles uses arrogance as Oedipus’s characterization in which he converses with other characters in a way that (such as humbly or firmly) reflects both his status and confidence. It came to my understanding that nothing forces Oedipus to kill Laius; there is no accident. The location of a crossroad for this scene is representational of Oedipus' choice. Oedipus could have chosen to ignore the dispute and end it peacefully, but he instead lashes out. Sophocles utilizes that representation in this scene. The crossroad also serves as a figurative crossroad in Oedipus' life, the point in which Oedipus can turn away from the fateful prophecy or begin fulfilling it in which fate vs choice is the matter.
As Jocasta tries to calm Oedipus, she says “Listen to me… no skill in the world, nothing human can penetrate the future”. Her claim harms the reputation of the power of the oracle and blind prophet to predict the future and determine fate. She advises Oedipus to live by chance regardless of his fate. Jocasta continues “It’s all chance, chance rules our lives. Not a man on earth can see a day ahead… Better to live at random, best we can”. Sophocles conveys this idea of Jocasta being against fate so she can be the representation of choice. Jocasta and Oedipus are union by marriage but ironically their symbolic means struggle against each other. When the Shepard and messenger begin to tell the truth, Jocasta encourages Oedipus to “Stop- in the name of god, if you love your own life, call of this search”. Jocasta remains the figure of choice; she advances Oedipus not to conform to fate but to choose his own destiny. “Let the storm burst, my fixed resolve still holds,... birth? Nothing can make me other than I am.” When Oedipus arrives at Thebes, he is presented with yet another choice; to become the king and to wed the queen. Once again, Oedipus' choice puts him one step closer to fulfilling the prophecy. Oedipus is not forced into marrying Jocasta, this is simply his decision. Fate was not responsible. While Oedipus’s fate of killing his father and sleeping with his mother is sealed, he only learns that he has fulfilled his fate through constant searching. Therefore, it’s his fault that the tragedy is discovered, not the fault of fate.
The most obvious reason Oedipus is responsible is that by the end of the play Oedipus has taken responsibility for his actions. Oedipus states, "…..Now loathed by the gods, son of the mother I defiled coupling in my father’s bed, spawning lives in the loins that spawned my wretched life. What grief can crown this grief? It's mine alone, my destiny-I am Oedipus!" It was all by Oedipus’ choices that could’ve prevented him from his downfall, only if he made the right choices. If we choose to cast blame, we are taking a detour on a path that can lead to a glorious destination. Far better to accept responsibility, learn from our mistakes, and move on. Like William Jennings Bryan said, we need to recognize that, "Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice: It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.” Oedipus is presented with a series of choices throughout the play, and his arrogant and stubborn nature pushed him to make the wrong decisions. And those decisions that ultimately led to his downfall. By the end of the play, Oedipus' downfall is prophesized, and Oedipus does fulfill the prophecy. The truth of the matter is that Oedipus' choices are what led him to fulfill the prophecy. The evidence from my previous claims suggests that nobody is more responsible for Oedipus, than Oedipus. Through Oedipus Rex, Sophocles shows the reader the consequences of carelessness in decision-making.
