Free will and Determinism in Oedipus the King by Sophocles...

Determinism is based off this notion that all events are pre-determined, without influence by human actions. If this is true, we can imply that people do not have free will and thus are not responsible for their actions. In Oedipus the King we see that the dichotomy of fate and free will is hazed by the hyperbole of events, which can make it difficult, but possible, to determine if humans even have free will. Through Oedipus’s flaws and decisions and Sophocles use of the imagery of a crossroad it is apparent that free will can be exercised in a meaningful way. The play opens, and immediately we see parallels with the start of Oedipus’s overconfident ego, and subsequently the start of his downfall. Creon comes back with news from the†¦show more content†¦Overall, we once again see how Oedipus’s blindness to the truth perpetuates his fate and furthers him on his path of downfall. Furthermore, later in the play we have many things happening, with the introd uction of the crossroad and the continuation of Oedipus’s arrogance. Firstly, Jocasta recounts the story of how Laius was murdered at a three-way crossroad by some thieves. What is important about the story is not just that Oedipus could be, and is, the murderer, but also that he had a choice. The definition of a crossroad is literally, the crossing of two or more paths. Fate crossed Laius and Oedipus’s paths at the crossroad, but Oedipus was given the opportunity to choose a path. He did not have to fulfill his destiny and kill Laius; he could have chosen an alternative path. Nonetheless, his superciliousness blinded him from handling the situation without violence. Therefore, once again we see how his blindness persists to be the vain of his existence. As they continue to recount the past, the symbol of the crossroad and this idea of different paths carry through. After Oedipus unknowingly killed his father, he travelled to Thebes and was presented with another decis ion for which to exercise his free will. Oedipus chooses to perpetrate his prophecy and marry Jocasta. However, he did not have to choose that path, it was his personal decision for which he is accountable. He laterShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Freewill In Oedipus The King933 Words   |  4 PagesFreewill in Oedipus the King   Ã‚  Ã‚   Determinists believe that every event of our life is strictly determined by a preceding event. This order follows until the sequence of events dates back before our birth, thus, beyond the notion of oneself as an individual. From this theory, one could argue that there could never be an attribution of responsibility to individuals since they cannot be held responsible for events dating before their birth. 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