Fate and Free Will in Sophocles' Oedipus Rex

Introduction: Oedipus Rex as Greek Tragedy

Oedipus Rex is a Greek tragedy in which Oedipus and Thebes are punished for the sins committed by Oedipus' father, Laius. First performed by Sophocles in 429 BCE, it is the second play produced in the Theban cycle but comes first in the chronology. In the play, it appears as though much of the suffering plaguing Thebes has been precipitated by Oedipus' ascension to the throne. Laius, Creon, divine powers, and Oedipus each contribute to the plague that infects the well-being of Thebes.

Greek tragedy is meant to reaffirm that life is worth living and concerns people in conflict with the universe. Actions in Greek tragedies arise from inner conflict, and these actions must arouse pity and fear. It is also a convention of the genre that the hero — who is good yet not perfect — must fall. Furthermore, the audience must experience catharsis once events have transpired, and the hero must be left to face the world alone ("Greek Theatre History Notes," 2011).

Throughout much of the play, Oedipus tries to determine why his city is being plagued, sending his brother-in-law Creon to consult an oracle. Upon Creon's return, and after a subsequent consultation with Tiresias, the origin of the curse upon the Theban people is revealed. The plague has inflicted sickness, barrenness, and infertility among the people, livestock, and agriculture (Sophocles, 1991). In an ironic turn of events, the city may be freed of its plague if Laius' murderer is either executed or banished.

Due to Oedipus' convoluted parentage, he is unaware of his own role in the dilemma. It had been prophesied that Laius would be killed by his son, and that his son would subsequently marry his own mother and father children with her. To prevent these events, Laius — acting out of fear — attempts infanticide by pinning his son's feet together and abandoning him on a mountain to die of exposure. A shepherd found Oedipus and, unable to care for him, gave the infant to King Polybus and Queen Merope of Corinth. Oedipus, also made aware of the prophecy and unwilling to endanger his parents, eventually leaves Corinth. Because he was not their natural child, he was ignorant of the fact that he posed no threat to them whatsoever.