How does oedipus’s choice to seek out the truth develop the central idea of fate in the text

In Sophocles’ Oedipus the King, the theme of fate versus free will appears often throughout the play. It is prophesied to Oedipus’s parents, Jocasta and Laius, that their son would grow up to kill his father and marry his mother. Diana McHugh addresses the concept of fate by writing,

Their attempt to assert their free will is foiled when fate intervenes, in the form of the “good will” of a Shepherd who spares the infant’s life.

Jocasta and Laius attempt to get rid of their son but fate triumphs. Oedipus’ fate throughout the play has been decided by the prophecy which contributes to his destruction. According to Alistar Cameron, Oedipus’s fate is not complete before the beginning of the play (134).

Apollo is aware Oedipus is guilty of killing his father so when Apollo asks for Laius’s killer to be found, Oedipus will find himself. Oedipus’ pride is emphasized when he searches for Laius’ killer to stop the plague; he wants to find the killer and protect himself. McHugh states,

“Oedipus relentlessly begins the long search to find the killer, ignorant to the fact that it is he himself and that his fate is closing upon him.”

Oedipus is ignorant to the fact that by searching for the killer he is sealing his own fate.

Through Oedipus’ efforts to find the killer, he summons the blind prophet Tiresias to his palace for question. The scene between Tiresias and Oedipus is the first scene in the play to demonstrate strong conflict; audience members see Oedipus’ temper for the first time. Before this scene, Oedipus has acted calmly but loses patience when Tiresias refuses to reveal the identity of the killer. Tiresias’s confidence in the prophecy while Oedipus’s free will falters:

Hear me out. Since you have thrown my blindness at me I will tell you what yours don’t see: what evil you are steeped in. You don’t see where you live or who shares your house. Do you know your parents? You are their enemy in this life and down there with the dead. (ll. 495–503)

Explanation:

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