The Nature of Fate and Free Will

 

Greek tragedy circulates around central themes of destiny and fate. As humans, we constantly question whether consequences are the result of fate, outcomes in our lives that are predetermined, or free will, believing in the power of individuals to make life-changing choices. Oedipus Rex centers around Oedipus, the King of Thebes, who is determined to find Laïos’ killer to solve the plague but ends up learning the truth of his own past, eventually blinding himself. Although Oedipus suffers from the inevitable power of fate towards the beginning of the play, his free will in response to his fate plays a pivotal factor in Oedipus’ eventual downfall, resulting in a contrast between expectations and reality and his altered relationship of light and darkness. His initial idealized actions in bringing light to darkness collapse as he transforms from being figuratively blind as determined by fate to physically blind due to his own free will, soon giving up on seeing light in life as he embraces the reality of hamartia - particularly manifested by Oedipus’ poor judgment and refusal to “see” the truth.  

 

At the beginning of the play, Oedipus is depicted as an idealized leader adamant to save Thebes from the plague. Initially, this act is heroic; however, ultimately it is the beginning of Oedipus’ descent into “darkness,”and the beginning of his refusal to “see the light”  - or truth - for his own responsibilities in this crisis.  When reacting to the plague, Oedipus’ statement “Then once more I must bring what is dark to light” (9) suggests Oedipus’ determination to drive out the murderer of Laius in order to save the city, portraying him as a confident, selfless leader. By speaking to the citizens that “[they] shall be saved” (10), Oedipus demonstrates a lack of awareness for  the complicated nature of the issue, believing that the plague will come to an immediate end as long as the murderer is exiled. At this point of the play, Oedipus shows optimism over the power of light in combating darkness. He is also well under control of fate when Tiresias claims that “[him], with both [his] eyes, are blind. [He] can’t see the wretchedness of [his] life,” (22) suggesting his figurative blindness to the truth of his past — something that is already predetermined by fate and can  not be altered by free will. The circumstances of Oedipus’ birth can not be altered as he unwittingly ends up killing his father and marrying his mother. Oedipus, upon receiving a new prophecy when consulting Tiresias, learns that God  “spoke of things as that [he] should lie with [his] own mother, and be [his] father’s murderer,” (42) suggesting that his fate was already in place by God despite his  heroic intentions and idealizations to save Thebes. 

 

Because Oedipus persists in learning about the facts of his past, he ultimately begins his journey where poor judgment, refusal to see the truth as it is shown, and an unwillingness to take responsibility begins, ultimately leading to his fall. Oedipus comes to the realization that “[Apollo] brought [his] sick, sick fate upon [him] / But the blinding hand was [his] own” (72), implying that although Apollo ordained Oedipus’ destiny, it was Oedipus’ own hand and free will that blinded himself, eventually becoming the cause of his exile — not the hand of fate. In dealing with the nature of his fate, Oedipus could have chosen to accept his wrongdoings. Instead, he chooses to maintain his pride and refuses to believe the truth. Although Oedpius is a product of fate, murdering his father and marrying his mother, his downfall is primarily the result of his inability to move forward willingly and take responsibility for his actions. In the end, Oedipus realizes his tragic mistake, and physically blinds himself.  Before striking his eyes, Oedipus cries “Too long been blind to those for whom I was searching! / From this hour go in darkness” (69) His epiphany, acknowledging his blindness to see the truth, leads to his purposeful  offering for banishment despite being known as the King. Oedipus blinds himself physically, stepping into true darkness and away from the light that he refused to see from the beginning of the play. 

 

At the finishing lines of the play, Oedipus gives up on bringing light to darkness, embracing the nature of brutal reality, actions that are entirely exercises of his own free will. Upon realizing the truth, Oedipus exclaims “O Light, may I look on you for the last time!” (64) underscores his realization that he chose darkness over light, completely giving up on life even when he did have the possibility to alter his fate by maintaining his “blindness” to the truth. His unwavering tone when stating “Lend me away from Thebes” (72) and “Drive me out of this country as quickly as may be” (76) showcases that Oedpius’ exile wasn’t caused by any external factors or people that forced him to do so. Instead, he makes the decision, and even tries to persuade others to exile him. His self-inflicted, tragic punishment can be seen as an attempt to atone the harm he has caused, in which he finds out about within the span of a day. 

 

Fate lays a foundation to Oedipus’ destiny, but it is undoubtedly his own decision to continue seeking questions and uncovering his mystic, brutal past. As a result, Oedipus transforms his relationship with light and darkness, embracing the reality that contradicts his own initial idealizations. He goes from one who is metaphorically blind by fate to physically blind by free will, eventually leading to his banishment from Thebes. Even with fate, it eventually comes down to choice, that for Oedipus, leads to demise. 

 

Work Cited

The Oedipus Cycle: Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus, Antigone by Sophocles, Dudley Fitts (Translator), Robert Fitzgerald (Translator)