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Thus, the idea of the Morai combined predestination and free will to suggest that a person could choose the actions he or she would take, but was predestined to face the consequences of those choices.
In the Oedipus trilogy, however, this view is questioned. Although Oedipus does suffer from a character flaw -- pride -- and he does kill his father and sleep with his mother, he does not know who they are when he does so. In addition, both events can be explained as rational. Oedipus kills his father, King Laius, when he does not know his identity after an altercation at an intersection. Jocusta, Laius's former wife, becomes his wife after the event. Although Oedipus is not a perfect human being, it can be argued that his treatment was unfair, as he did not make a conscious choice to kill his mother and father. Indeed, Stephandies (2009) points out that "the destiny of Oedipus was fixed before he came into the world," citing a family curse for Oedipus's trouble. This poses another problem for the question of fate, as Oedipus did not seem to determine his actions, but his family did. In addition, the gods also played a large part in Oedipus's fate, allowing curses to go forth.
Thus, the question of fate and free will in Greek mythology can be answered...
In a variety of mythological stories, through the intervention of the Morai, individuals have the freedom to determine their actions, but not their consequences, suggesting an idea of fate and predestination that is similar to the 21st century view of many. Alternately, the incident of Oedipus suggests that a person does not always have the ability to determine his or her fate, but that human actions -- more specifically family member's actions -- are still directly responsible. Thus, if any lesson can be drawn from the treatment of this theme in Greek mythology, it is that the safest option is doing good, which can at least score some points with the fates.
References
Atsma, A.J. (2008). Moirai. Retrieved July 24, 2009, from http://www.theoi.com/Daimon/Moirai.html
"Greek Mythology." (2008). Retrieved July 24, 2009, from http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/Go-Hi/Greek-Mythology.html
Saunders, C. & A, P. "Fates: The Three Greek Goddesses of Destiny and Fate."
Retrieved July 24, 2009, from http://www.godchecker.com/pantheon/greek-mythology.php?deity=FATES
Stephanides, D.M. (2009). Oedipus: The Tragedies. Retrieved July 24, 2009, from http://www.sigmabooks.gr/txt_mth_en_en8.html
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