Name: Barhee Munir 70081381

Classical Greek and Elizabethan Drama

Oedipus Rex

Discuss critically the role of fate and free will in Oedipus Rex. How far Greek Gods were
responsible for the downfall of the protagonist?

As if we see in the Oedipus Rex Fate and free will plays their important role in his life. There is
tragic flaw we see in the character of king Oedipus Rex. His tragic flaw and pride leads him to
the way of worst circumstances. According to Aristotle, there are some characteristics one must
have to be a tragic hero such as; hubris, judgmental error, which will make him to take such
decisions. Afterwards those decisions will lead king to the way of his downfall.

However, Oedipus tries his best to save his people. But at the same time he is showing actually
fighting against himself. He was searching the man who killed king to get rid of the cursed
which has become the main cause of destruction of the city. By searching murder he is
unknowingly searching himself. Despite that his speech with blind Prophet Tiresias reveals that
he is the actual killer of his father. Still Oedipus investigates it until he finds himself guilty.

In the scene II where Oedipus also blames Creon about the conspiracy against his kingdom he
also does not mean the words of Prophet. As Oedipus also called Prophet a blind man and
evokes him to let the cat out of the cage. When play continues we find that how his pride and
his own free will has made him to do so many mistake in the past. Such as; when he meets with
crowd where three roads link, because of his pride he fights and unknowingly kill his own
father. There is time when he solves riddle of Sphinx, he gets the honor of king and again
unknowingly marry his own mother. Oedipus shows up with his free will but gods did what they
want to do.

If we talk about Greek society then there is a great influence of myths and gods. It also reflects
their literature and customs.. That is why it is also known as god centered society. Because of it
people believe that gods have a great role in the making of their fate and destiny. And this will
actually leads to a tragic life which affects the whole city.