The classical Greek writers have given the world major literary themes. One such theme is "Fate". According to Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language the word fate is defined as "the principal or determining cause or will by which things in general are believed to come to be as they are or events to happen as they do: destiny"(529). The Theme "Fate" is applicable to Oedipus and his lineage, in Sophecles's three Theban plays: Antigone, Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus.

"Fate" plays a cruel role in the lives of everyone related to Oedipus. Not only was Oedipus's life condemned from the beginning, but the lives of his four children were also ill fated. The entire bloodline, beginning with Oedipus, met a tragic end or led a tragic life through no fault of their own. Thomas Gould explains, "sometimes it is suggested that Oedipus would not have avoided his misery by having been a better man, but he could have remained prosperous and happy if he had been a less good man" (Gould 51). If not for "Fate", the lives of Oedipus and his entire family could have been much better off.

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Some common words found in the essay are:
Oedipus Oedipus, Laius Delphi, Unfortunately Oedipus, Eteocles Polynices, Wherefore Corinth, Sphinx Oedipus, Polybus Merope, Jocasta Oedipus, Colonus Oedipus, Ismene Antigone, solve riddle, king laius, city plague, plague city, polybus merope, oedipus king, cured city, laius jocasta, eteocles polynices, oedipus met, rode colt-carriage thrust, herald rode colt-carriage, thrust enraged strike, met herald rode, colt-carriage thrust enraged,
Approximate Word count = 2296
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)