Would you consider Oedipus Rex as a tragedy of fate or a tragedy of Character? Give reasons for your answer.
Oedipus Rex is a notable literary work by Sophocles. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Oedipus Rex.
Answer
Would you consider Oedipus Rex as a tragedy of fate or a tragedy of Character? Give reasons for your answer.
Oedipus Rex (429 BC) is one of the most famous Tragedies in ancient Greece by Sophocles (496-406 B.C). It deals with the theme of fate or tragedy of character. Sophocles, in this tragedy, mentions that fate is the character, and character is the fate. Here, the tragic character or hero, Oedipus, tries to avoid fate and wants to prove the prophecy of the oracle false. At last, fate gives him enough punishment. So, Oedipus Rex is the best paradigm for such a tragedy.
Fate as a Predetermined Force: The theme of fate undeniably influences Oedipus Rex. The prophecy given to Oedipus by the Oracle at Delphi is a central element that drives the story. This is evident in the Oracle’s foretelling,
You are fated to couple with your mother; you will bring a breed of children into the light no man can bear to see.
Oedipus’s Tragic Flaws and Character: While fate sets the storyline, the character traits of Oedipus bring his tragic downfall. His hubris (excessive pride) closes his eyes to the truth. He declares to find the king’s murderer,
I will fight for him as if he were my father,
Stop at nothing; search the world to the ends.
His determination to find the murderer ironically leads him to his horrific revelation.
Fate Intertwined with Choices: Oedipus drives his actions from good intentions but ironically fulfills the prophecy and faces tragedy. His decision to flee Corinth to avoid the prophecy accidentally leads him to fulfill it. It shows how fate and personal choices divide.
Character’s Impact on Tragic Events: Oedipus’ oversensitive nature and whimsical actions contribute to the tragic events. He quarrels with Tiresias and Creon and accuses them of conspiring against him. This confrontation reveals his impulsiveness. He shouts to Tiresias,
You’ve lost your power, stone-blind, stone-deaf—
Senses, eyes blind as stone!
Fate as an Unavoidable Force: The chorus repeatedly highlights the powerlessness of mortals against fate. They say no man is truly happy if he does not die happily. This view emphasizes the inevitability of fate’s grip on human lives. We learn from the chorus’s words that every human action is predetermined by fate. No one can avoid the impact of fate in their life.
Character’s Tragic Downfall: Oedipus’s downfall results from fate and his character traits. His realization of the truth leads to his self-serving punishment, as he blinds himself. He cries out,
No more, no more shall you look on the misery about me…
Too long you have known the faces of those whom I should never have seen, too long been blind to those for whom I was searching!.
Oedipus’s Ignorance and Self-Discovery: Oedipus stays ignorant of his true identity until the revelation destroys his world. His relentless quest for the truth leads to his own self-discovery. He laments his downfall.
Catharsis through Tragedy: The tragedy of Oedipus Rex gathers catharsis (pity and fear) in the audience. Through seeing Oedipus’s downfall, the audience experiences pity and fear. They can purify their emotions to achieve a sense of emotional release and moral insight.
In closing, “Oedipus Rex” is a tragedy intertwined with fate and character. Fate sets the underlying approach of the story. However, Oedipus’s character flaws and choices bring about his tragic downfall. The text skillfully blends these elements and displays the complex relationship between destiny and human action.