Oedipus Fate Vs Free Will

It is suggested by the chorus that Antigone her punishment is “the expiation [she] must make for the sin of her father” (p149), and so an aspect of the unavoidable fate of the “curse-ridden” (p149) family of Oedipus. Oedipus fulfilled the prophecy of killing his father and marrying his mother due to his own arrogance and “proud spirit” (p129), and in a similar way, Antigone brought her fate upon herself through her obstinacy. The chorus compares the fate of Antigone to that of Danae, the mother of Perseus, who was imprisoned in a “brazen bower” (p151) by King Acrisius in order to avoid the prophecy that her son would kill him. However, ultimately, the prophecy was fulfilled, so strong the “mastering hand” (p151) of Destiny, which hints at the similar inexorability of the fate of Antigone, through her relation to Oedipus. It is interesting to see that while Antigone compares her plight to that of Niobe, a goddess, the chorus chooses instead to compare her to Danae, a mortal, an act which subtly reveals the arrogance of Antigone in her self-comparison to the divine. A direct reference the Fates itself is made in the context of the “hard hands” (p151) laid upon Antigone. This manifestation of fate adds to the idea that the destiny of Antigone and Creon is somewhat out of their control once they

Many people today may say that all events happen for a reason and it is out of our control, but is it really our individual choices that we make determine our future. The same thing happened in the play Antigone. In the play one message is that characters blame fate for the downfall of their life when it is their own doing.

In “Oedipus,” Sophocles writes about a man who is hunted down by his cruel fate, and whose life is ruined in attempt to run away from it. The ancient Greek perspective reflects on the matter of the story and how the god’s highly influence the lives of humans. This viewpoint basically shows the unbounded power the Greek gods have; by being the gods of destiny, and leaving man at a helpless position. Fate plays a massive role in the lives of humans and as was believed by the ancient Greeks, their lives were simply directed by a decision of gods and goddesses. Oedipus knew his fate set by a curse cast on him; however, even when being aware it is impossible to escape fate, he still attempted to run away from it. As the play progresses Oedipus begins to understand the unbearable truth as he states “I’ve called down a dreadful curse upon myself,” followed by a response “I simply didn’t know!” (1103). It is the will of the man to realize what is inevitable and what choice is. In the Ancient Greece, Gods were praised and worshiped and any command stated by them is the undecided future. Oedipus acting as a blinded man who did not know of such fact led him to his fate and ironically is what later led him to blind himself (Gould). When Oedipus stabs his eyes out with the

Her defiance of Creon's decision exemplifies the tragic consequences of hubris, as the king's pride precipitates a cascade of catastrophic events. Moreover, Antigone's inexorable fate, intertwined with her commitment to divine law, underscores the theme of fate versus free will, emphasizing the force of destiny in shaping human

“She and her sister win bitter death for this” (Sophocles Scene 2). As shown by this quotation, Antigone's acts of disobedience will not pass without punishment. Although Antigone was aware of these orders, she was determined to accomplish her goal, and because of her determination now faces the death

Fate is an old debated concept. Do one's actions truly play a role in determining one's life? Is fate freedom to some or is it binding to others, in that no individual can make completely individual decisions, and therefore, no one is truly free. Nowadays, fate is a subject often rejected in society, as it is seen as too big, too idealistic, and too hard to wrap a persons head around. However, at the time of Antigone, the concept was a terrifying reality for most people. Fate is the will of the gods, and as is apparent in Antigone, the gods' will is not to be questioned. Much of Sophocles' work focuses on the struggle between human law and what is believed to be the god’s law. Fate was an unstoppable force and it was assumed that any

Oedipus is a man of unflagging determination and perseverance, but one who must learn through the working out of a terrible prophecy that there are forces beyond any man’s conceptualization or control. Oedipus’ actions were determined before his birth, yet Oedipus’ actions are entirely determined by the Gods who control him completely. In the beginning of this tragedy, Oedipus took many actions leading to his own downfall. He tried to escape Corinth when he learned of the prophecies that were supposed to take place in his life. Instead, he

Freewill. Fate is displayed through the Creon the antagonist whereas Freewill is explored through the Antigone the protagonist. During the play’s climax, Tiresias, the blind prophet, prophesied that Creon would lose what mattered to him most if he did not free Antigone. By the time Creon realised his mistake of imprisoning Antigone, he had lost his wife and son. Thus, Creon had the ability to use his freewill but had sealed his fate through his obstinate actions.

Throughout Antigone, fate is responsible for many of the most devastating and critical events. The characters Antigone, Creon, Ismene, Haemon, and Tirasias experience many occasions that change their destiny, some events of which were predestined. It is frequently shown that fate and free will are intertwined. Each individual has a destiny, but it can be changed if they use their free will. Sophocle’s message is portrayed throughout the story through the actions of different characters. The individuals predestined fate and willingness to change it creates the series of events.

Antigone, on the other hand, is the maverick who dares to defy Creon, initiating the spiral of events that cause both his downfall and realization of his misdeeds. Antigone rejects Creon?s authority in favor of the higher Divine law, telling her sister Ismene, ?I will bury him; and if I must die, I say that this crime is holy: I shall lie down with him in death? (Sophocles 192). When questioned by Creon as to why she breaks the law, she asserts, ?It was not God?s proclamation. That final Justice that rules the world below makes no such laws? (Sophocles 208). Antigone is unafraid of her punishment claiming, ?this death of mine is of no importance; but if I had left my brother lying in death unburied, I should have suffered? (Sophocles 208). She remains steadfast in her beliefs, never compromising her principles to escape her uncle?s wrath. In her final address to the people, she proclaims, ?you will remember what things I suffer, and at what men?s hands, because I would not transgress the laws of heaven? (Sophocles 228). This indicates that she, alone, has chosen the righteous path.

Sophocles’ play “Oedipus Tyrannus” is about how Athenians view their gods and their fate. Athenians believed that their fate was not left up to man, but that is provided solely on the whims their gods. The interesting aspect of this story is not that one believes that fate is real but that fate can be changed by not following the predictions of the oracle (seer/mediator for the god. If fate does take place for whatever reason than one took the wrong step in changing it.

By embedding our will into our actions and decisions, to what extent are we capable of influencing fate? By incorporating the concept of morality into wisdom, Sophocles demonstrates that fate represents the freedom of choice – the ability to decide your own choices. The moment you choose a decision, however, the consequences and ramifications of your actions bind you and that ultimately becomes your fate. Antigone, symbolic of the representation of her name, is unbending – absolute to her beliefs and values – and is portrayed as a model of courage and responsibility. Aware of her fate throughout Antigone, she accepts her death through her faith in her beliefs over the oppression of her power and freedom.

Antigone, written by Sophocles, includes many themes that remain present throughout the entire play. Each theme has a different effect on both the characters, and also on Antigone as a whole. The conflict between man’s law and the god’s is a recurring theme that plays a massive part in Antigone. The protagonist and the antagonist have contrasting beliefs, causing crimes to occur and lives to be put in jeopardy. Was this conflict between these two characters inevitable, though, or could it have been avoided? This question plays with the idea of fate or destiny. Many of the characters throughout Antigone blame their actions on fate. They consider their choices to have no effect on the outcome of the situation. Some of the characters, even believe

Antigone, a young, ambitious, powerful-beyond-her-knowledge girl sets the reader up with her awareness of the power of fate, in which she attributes all the tragedy in her family to the almighty Zeus. Fate being the upcoming of events beyond a person’s control, something that is destined to happen. We see fate throughout the story occur over again, it is a common action bestowed upon both Creon and Antigone.

Fate and free will played major parts in creating the characters and stories in many of the Greek mythologies and tragedies. The Greeks believes that the Gods and the Oracle's could predict a person's fate before or after birth, and that no one, even the Gods could intervene in that person's fate. They also believed that a person's or God could not create their own fate. This belief stems from the three fates: sisters, The Moirai or Fates were three sister deities, incarnations of destiny and life. Because of these three old women, fate could not be avoided or altered. As such with these stories, in the Iliad fate leads Achilles down his path of glory and his early demise, and cause Oedipus to sleep with his own mother and kill his father. Free will is the power of acting without constraint and fate; acting by one's own decisions. Even though Achilleus and Oedipus have fate, they both also have free will. For instance, Achilles has a double fate: if he goes home, he will live long without glory or if he stays at Troy, he will have lots of glory, but a short life. As such, in Sophocles Oedipus the King, when Oedipus was born he was fated to kill his father and lay with his mother, thought his ability of free will caused his fate to come true.