Oedipus's Tragedy

In class all this week, we read the greek tragedy, Oedipus the King. This story was full of dramatic ironies and double meanings on Oedipus's part. Something that we discussed about, was fate, or destiny. For centuries, it has been a struggle for mankind to figure out just how much of our lives is controlled by fate, and what we can decide for ourselves. The greek god Apollo had put a curse upon Laius, that his own son would kill his father and marry his mother. To prevent this, Laius sent the child to die in the wilderness, and thus prevent the prophecy from ever coming true. Yet fate's hands were at work, and the child managed to survive, taken in by Polybus, king of Corinth. Many years later, when the child, Oedipus, heard for himself the same prophecy, he chose to take matters into his own hands. He fled the city of his own volition so that he would not kill his father and wed his mother (even though he did not know that he was adopted). But this choice made by Oedipus still brought a part of the prophecy to pass. While traveling, running away from Corinth to protect his family, he is confronted by a small escort on the road, one of who's members are none other than King Laius, Oedipus's true father. When they are cruel to   Oedipus, he becomes completely enraged, and kills them all. So in fleeing his fate, he ultimately met it.
And the story continued on, and Oedipus did indeed marry his mother, because not only was there no king left to rule Thebes, but he'd also solved the Sphinx's riddle. After many years of peaceful ruling, past deeds begin to beckon Oedipus, and the city is struck by a terrible plague. The murder of Laius has gone unpunished, and until then, the city will never be at peace. Oedipus again, tries to do what is noble and right, to save his city. But his pursuit of this knowledge with ultimately bring about his downfall. So it stands to question, " Was any of this avoidable?" and " Are people really doomed to meet tragic ends, based on their own tragic flaws?" Predestination is also a touchy topic today. If the Creator (or whatever deity one follows) already knows what our futures hold for us, or what choices we make, or what will become of us, then are we already trapped and bound for one certain outcome? Is there no way to defy fate? Whether or not we ourselves know it has decreed for us?

"There is no Escaping Fate"