In 'King Oedipus' there comes a point in the play where Oedipus
learns something that plays an important role throughout the play. He learns
from a oracle that he will eventually kill his own Father and sleep with his
own mother. As one could imagine this is a shock to Oedipus, and he does
not believe the oracle. However, he cannot control any of this from
happening because it is his fate. He is a victim of circumstances beyond his
control. Oedipus has no control on the outcome of what happens in his life
because his life had already been planned by the Greek Gods.
Throughout the whole play there are references made to many of the
ancient Greek Gods, for example, Apollo, Zeus, Dionysis, and Artemis are
discussed quite often. In ancient Greece the people believed that if anything
happened one of the god's had a reason for it.
Cadmus Sowing the Dragon's teeth, by Maxfield Parr...
Oedipus and the Sphinx of Thebes, Red Figure Kylix...
Deutsch: Theaterfotografie van Albert Greiner sr. ...Each god was related to one
specific thing like Poseidon being the god of the sea. They thought that if
there was a tidal wave or a hurricane it was because Poseidon was angry at
them. This is the basis for my assumption that Oedipus had no control over
his fate.
First of all, when Oedipus is just a baby his father, King Laius of
Thebes, is told in an oracle that his own son will kill him. So, with the
agreement of his wife, Jocasta, the baby's feet are pinioned, and it's given to a
slave who is supposed to leave it to die on Mt. Cithaeron. However, the
slave feels sorry for the baby, and gives it to a fellow shepherd from Corinth.
The shepherd from Corinth presented the baby to the childless King of
Corinth, who is Polybus, and he brings him up as his...