7 page research paper on Oedipus Rex

Last Name: 2
Name: Isabel Llanes
Professor: Mrs. Page
Course: English IV
Date: 5 March 2020
Title: Practical Decisions Versus Fate
Contents
Introduction    3
Personal Decision versus Fate    3
Impact of Decisions of Oedipus in the Plot of Play    4
Analyzing if Decisions of Oedipus were Fate-Directed or His Own Choices    5
Analyzing the Contribution of the Results of Oedipus' Decisions on the Meaning of Play    6
Conclusion    7
Works Cited    9
Introduction
Life is full of twists and turns and these twists can be either self-controlled or predetermined. It would be essential to consider that there exists a fine line dividing fate and free will. Therefore, life is the delicate balance between fate and free will. Some decisions can be dependent upon free will while others may be dependent upon situations or heat of the moment. However, irrespective of both the prior mentioned aspects, these decisions have the potential to vary the outcome or results in upcoming future. Accordingly, the irony presents itself in a manner where some actions may be out of control yet, individuals thinks that they could have controlled them. Oedipus Rex written by Sophocles also presented such decisions, where Oedipus had the chance to make his own choices; however, fate outplayed him and did not gave him the chance to change the prophecy about his destiny. This paper will discuss some aspects of life, fate and decision making with respect to Oedipus’s decisions.
Personal Decision versus Fate
Fate is something that is out of an individual’s control and is meant to happen. It can be a determining factor in what direction life will move. In Ancient Greek culture, prophecies played a vital role in people’s lives. It is believed that the gods themselves gave prophecies and the priests in the temples were the ones who had to deliver the message. In Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, Oedipus is faced with several decisions. He has the chance to make things happen on his own and make his own choices. He also is aware that there has been a prophecy about his destiny but believes he can go against it (Moreno Pestana). Oedipus was an empathetic and compassionate leader and this is evident from his sympathetic words at the beginning of play where he exclaims to the people of Thebes,
"Ah! my poor children, known, ah, known too well. The quest that brings you hither and your need. Ye sicken all, well wot I, yet my pain, How great so ever yours, out tops it all." (Easterling)
Although Oedipus may be empathizing with the people of Thebes, he was unaware of what life may have planned for him. Sophocles skillfully presented these lines in order to reflect the irony associated with Oedipus's dark past (Joshi). Oedipus killed his father, as suggested by the oracle and married his mother. Since, gods already predicted this, Oedipus did not have a clue with respect to his functioning and he could handle the pain or sorrow, which he received after being informed.
Oedipus initially has been presented as a man with positive attitude and with the belief to change his destiny. Further, Oedipus did not fear future because he believes that future is unknown and this evident from his word “Fear? What has a man to do with fear? Chance rules our lives, and the future is all unknown. Best live as we may, from day to day.” (Easterling). This is true for every individual because people believe that they can live their present to the fullest without concerning future, thus, they forget to plan what may come ahead.
Impact of Decisions of Oedipus in the Plot of Play
Oedipus’s decisions clearly reflect that they were being controlled by fate. Every other...