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Role of Prophecy in Oedipus The King Some people say that there is no way to control your own life, that your life has been planned out for you ahead of time and there is nothing you can do to escape this fate. Others believe that your life is a matter of choice, and what happens to you during your life is a result of your actions. The story of Oedipus The King seems to prove truth in both of these statements, that there is a life predetermined for you yet you can alter your life, but you cannot escape your prophecy. Oedipus Rex illustrates the Greek concept that trying to circumvent prophets predictions is futile. The play includes three main prophecies: the one made to Laius concerning his death by the hands of his son, a similar one directed to Oedipus, and one made by Tiresias foretelling Oedipus discovery of the murderers identity. Both recipients of these oracles attempt to avoid their destinies, but both wind up following the paths, which the Fates have prescribed.
Laius had received a prophesy which declares Other doom would strike him at the hands of [his] son. Jocasta, in an attempt to ease Oedipus worries, endeavors to defame prophesy in general by describing Laius apparent circumvention of the augury. When Laius son was not yet three days old, the king had the infants ankles fastened together, and then gave the boy to a henchman to be flung onto a barren, trackless mountains - Jocasta believes her son dead. Laius had believed that by killing his only son, he would be able to avoid the oracles prediction. However, the shepherd entrusted with the terrible task of infanticide pitied the baby and gave him to another shepherd, who, in turn, donated the child to the King and Queen of Corinth. The boy, Oedipus, was raised as the son of King Polybus and Queen Mere, and still believes himself to be their issue even as Jocasta relates the ironic story of his own previous death.
Oedipus, of course, finds out that it was indeed his own, true father, Laius that he has killed at the crossroads at Phocis. Laius attempt at foiling fate did not work; Oedipus killed him because of a slight insult. Laius felt to shameful to kill the infant himself, so he took a risk in hoping that his loyal shepherd would murder the child for him. That risk allowed Oedipus to live and, therefore, to kill his own father without knowing his true identity. Had Laius not attempted to have his newborn killed, the boy still would have caused his fathers death somehow, because the oracles are never wrong, and most Greeks realize theres no way to escape fate. Oedipus also tries to avoid his fate, which he had received from Apollos oracle at Delphi.
While Oedipus lived as Prince of Corinth, a drunken courtier shouted out that the prince was not his fathers son. Oedipus, doubt gnawing at his mind, traveled to Delphi to discover whose son he truly was. After Oedipus continues to press the reluctant prophet, at times threatening him for the murderers identity, Tiresias declares that Oedipus is his own ruin, his own disgrace. The prophet of Apollo continues, predicting both Oedipus flight from Thebes and his blindness.
Tiresias predicts that one man will ever be rooted from the earth as brutally as Oedipus. The furious King of Thebes mocks the prophet, calling his prophecies nothing but riddles, murk, and darkness. Oedipus simply discounts Tiresias foretelling, but he does, of course, fulfill them. After the he learns the truth about his parents and his tragic past, Oedipus runs through his palace in anguish. At first he seeks a sword with which to kill himself, but he sees Jocasta's body hanging by the neck, he rips off her brooches and repeatedly stabs his own eyes. Oedipus is not considering Tiresias prophecy, but is rather acting through a haze of anguish, shame, and guilt.
Oedipus easily convinces Creon to banish him, thus completing the rest of Tiresias prediction; the former king is now blind and in exile. Oedipus discounts Tiresias prophecies, but, predictably enough, ends up fulfilling them himself. Ancient Greeks watching a performance of Oedipus Rex would realize that the characters attempts to circumvent their destinies as related by oracles were futile. Both Laius and Oedipus 3 seek to avoid fate, but instead act in ways, which only prove the prophets correct. The irony generated by the characters seeking to avoid their destinies, however, adds to the plays tragic suspense and conclusion.
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Research essay sample on Role Of Prophecy In Oedipus The King
