Free Will and Fate in Sophocles' Oedipus the King Essay Example

The events of Sophocles' Oedipus the King depict a variety of conflicts between fate and free will. When the chorus alters their remarks as fate catches up with them, it is demonstrated that free will can be verbalized. Similarly, even in the face of opposition, truth eventually caught up with Jocasta and Oedipus. Oedipus makes a major decision regarding his punishment based on this at the end. This surprised many, but it also increased people's faith in fate and free will. Even though they had received clues from many sources about fate, with Tiresias playing a significant role, any measures that were taken were solely in the hands of that individual. Thus, the play implies that while it may not be able to control who succumbs to fate, the response to it is entirely voluntary.

Despite the many oppositions, Oedipus persisted in the truth, revealing his history as well as causing Jocasta's death. Oedipus had heard several warnings from various sources, including Tiresias's remark, “you are the curse, the corruption of the land!”(Sophocles, 179). For a little period, Oedipus contemplated what Tiresias said: "You withhold the word of God" (Sophocles, 177). Oedipus then, like the others, defers the accusations and continues to question Tiresias about what he knows about him. Oedipus believes that “[he] must see the truth at last” (Sophocles, 222). Jocasta also attempts in vain to save him from discovering the terrible truth about him that she had just uncovered: “Listen to me, I beg you, don’t do this'' (Sophocles 222). Jocasta declares, "You're doomed, (Sophocles, 223)" in response to Oedipus' eagerness to learn the truth. Putting aside her remark, Oedipus continues his quest to "know [his] birth" (Sophocles, 224), demonstrating that even when he had the opportunity to quit, he continued his quest for the truth. Although he lacked the power to change his history, his efforts and persuasion led to the discovery of the truth. If he had listened to Jocasta when she said "her suffering is enough," and "if you value your own life, which was hinting that something horrible was awaiting them, he might have avoided his agony and Jocasta's misery. 

Similarly, the chorus starts with a strong trust in fate and truth, but as the plot progresses, the destiny becomes clear, and the desire to see the truth evolves. At first, Oedipus was regarded as the law of the land, and no one dared to oppose him, except for Tiresias. “You are the king no doubt, but in one respect, at least I am your equal: the right to reply”(Sophocles, 183), he says, attempting to argue that he still could say anything he pleased, and no authority could take that away from him.  He then counters Oedipus’s questions with one of his own: "Do you know?” (Sophocles,183). His questioning of Oedipus brought more information to the surface, causing a schism in opinions. The chorus begs for the truth to be apparent, to trust in it: “There is no certain proof... No, not till I see these charges proved will I side with the accusers”(Sophocles, 187). Even if fate had predetermined the outcome, the chorus believes that “never will [they] convict [their] king” (Sophocles, 187), demonstrating that they had the freedom to either accuse the king or choose an alternative path. They will “Never in [their] heart” (Sophocles, 239), believe that Oedipus would do such a thing; it is up to them to believe what they choose to believe. Later, “[they] shudder at the sight” (Sophocles, 239) of Oedipus, the same king who had such a treasured place in the chorus' heart; this is the point when the belief changes. Except for the sight of Oedipus in the chorus' eyes, nothing is altered throughout this time; fate remained there, albeit concealed. After realizing the truth, their words and thoughts changed as a consequence of their own free will, implying that fate influenced their reaction to it.

Even though Oedipus was destined by fate, he selected his punishment as a final act of free will while in power after all was revealed. He is well aware of “all the pain [he] caused”(Sophocles, 237). He remarks, "[he] is agony" (Sophocles, 239, alluding to Jocasta's remark, “man of agony, that is the only name [she has] for [him]” (Sophocles, 223), indicating that he has now realized the link between his deeds and Jocasta's life. Those were the final words Jocasta ever spoke to him, and they burned a hole in his heart, reminding him that he was the reason they had to be the last. Oedipus had previously stated that he was the son of “the great goddess, giver of all good things” (Sophocles, 224), thus how fate had played out for him came as a tremendous shock to him. “You with your precious eyes, you’re blind to the corruption of your life” (Sophocles, 183), something Tiresias had said long before the truth was revealed had made an impression on Oedipus. Oedipus starts to understand all of the information he's acquired, gradually connecting it all.  Following this, after losing everything, the only thing he had control over was his own body and acts. He voluntarily gouged out his eyes, defying fate to play any other role, even in what he sees.

Sophocles implies that fate is the greatest force in Oedipus the King and that only the reaction to it is based on free will. Fate will ultimately catch up, and this cannot be avoided; nevertheless, the acts performed that can either push the instance forward or start it is the greatest free will that can be influenced. Sophocles illustrates the inevitability of fate and the consequences of free will via several incidents from the play. Oedipus perceives his existence as a jigsaw, with his past as a fated missing piece that he must locate to feel whole. Even though his history was predestined by fate and his actions were dictated by what fate had in store for him, he is the reason the light was shone on the missing puzzle piece. These jigsaw pieces eventually influenced everyone around him, including Jocasta and all of Thebes. Sophocles employs Oedipus the King to demonstrate the concept of fate as a looming power and free will as a victim of it.