Free Will In Oedipus - 1046 Words

Oedipus Tyrannus is a play by Sophocles. â€Å"Is Oedipus a play about a man who is fated to do the things he’s done, is it about a man who through ignorance committed abominable acts, but then, acting on his own free will set to right the wrongs he’d done, or is it a play about the fate of man in general-that we are the playthings of the gods, that we are without free will, and that we must reconcile ourselves to our fates?† (Essay 2) It’s hard to decide on just one view. On one hand the play seems to favor the view that our fate is already been determined. But, on the other the play seems to favor the fact that, we do in fact have free will. However, he will never blame his heartache on the gods, and at least Oedipus believes he has†¦show more content†¦It does say that â€Å"we don’t think you a god.† (Lines 1-51) However, it also says; â€Å"face life’s common issues and the trails which gods dispense to men.† Different gods dispense different factors such as Zeus who is the god who serves justice, thus we have another god whom is the god of light. Oedipus sent his wife’s own brother Creon, the son of Menoeceus, to Apollo’s Pythian shrine. The purpose of sending Creon to the Apollo’s Pythian shrine, to learn how to ease the suffering of his city. What is so special about Apollo? What is the symbol of Apollo? It’s because Apollo was the god of â€Å"prophecy, plague and healing, purification, and justice; he was the son of Zeus and Leto and the brother of Artemis.† (Lines 52-101) Creon has returned from his journey, furthermore he is about to tell Oedipus, of how the god of light responded. Oedipus was very eager to hear, the information that Creon gathered from Apollo’s Pythian shrine. Creon told Oedipus that Apollo’s message was; â€Å"pollution. A hidden sore is festering in our land. We are to stop its growth before it is too l ate.† (Lines 52-101) We than start asking questions regarding what Apollo means by pollution, in addition to how are we supposed to save ourselves. Creon than replies with â€Å"blood for blood† To save themselves they must band a man, or pay blood for blood. Creon states, â€Å"it is a murder which has led to his despair. Than whom was murdered? The god said theShow MoreRelatedFate And Free Will In Oedipus Rex1577 Words   |  7 Pagesrelationship between fate and free will was a common topic explored in ancient Greek plays. Oedipus Rex written by Sophocles survived through the years with such universal questions provoked by the plot. 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If the prophecies are wrong, however, how could the playRead More Destiny, Fate, Free Will and Free Choice in Oedipus the King - The Fate of Oedipus1239 Words   |  5 PagesThe Fate of Oedipus in Oedipus the King    In Oedipus the King there comes a point in the play where Oedipus learns something that plays an important role throughout the play.  Ã‚   He learns from a   oracle that he will eventually kill his own Father and sleep with his own mother.   As one could imagine this is a shock to Oedipus, and he does not believe the oracle.   However, he cannot prevent any of this from happening because it is his fate.   Oedipus is a victim of circumstances