The great philosopher Socrates believed that humans rule themselves with a combination of fate and free will. In Oedipus Rex this belief becomes a realisation, with a vicious combination of fate and free will contributing to the destruction of Oedipus. Oedipus' prophecy about killing his father and sleeping with his mother, his insatiable quest for the truth, and his self-blinding all concur to destroy Oedipus' life.

Before the play begins, the oracle Apollo bestows a prophecy on Oedipus that will kill his father and sleep with his mother. Oedipus describes his fears to Jocasta when he tells her that the oracle of Delphi says that, "...how I must marry my mother, and become the parent of a misbegotten brood, an offence to all mankind - and kill my father" (Oedipus 827-829). Because of this fear, Oedipus leaves his home and the people who he believes to be his parents, only to kill his true father and set the oracle in motion all be it unknowingly and accidentally. In killing King Laius Oedipus does not slaughter his entire group spar

ing one man, who ultimately is the key to his undoing. This unavoidable twist of fate is the one of the keys to Oedipus' destruction. This is an example of how fate and free will control ones life. It was Oedipus' free will to kill the men, but fate that it was his true father and that he was to leave one man alive who ultimately proved his undoing.

The other aspect of the play which leads us to believe that people, more specifically Oedipus do have control over their lives is Oedipus' ruthless investigation. Oedipus must bring the killer of King Laius to justice to rid Thebes of the plague which grips the city. He goes about this task with reckless abandonment, despite many pieces of advice for him to cease. "No! In God's name if you want to live, this must not go on" (Jocasta 1091-1092) This occurs when Jocasta realises the truth and begs Oedipus not to continue, and that it will prove his downfall to do so, yet his arrogant and flawed nature causes him to continue, predictably to his own undoing. "I mean to spare you, and myself. Ask me no more. It is useless. I will tell you nothing" This is a warning from Teiresias the soothsayer, who tries to protect

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 785
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)