Fate And Free Will In Sophocles Oedipus Rex

What is fate? Is it in our control? How do we predict what our future will look like? We, as humans, can only try with our earnest efforts to design our own future. In Oedipus Rex, by Sophocles, its been predicted by the Apollo at Delphi that Oedipus, will kill his father and marry his mother. Many characters, such as his parents, Laius’ herdsman, shepherd of Corinth, King Polybus, Queen Merope, and Creon try to prevent this prophecy from occurring. Even though each of them have their own reasons, their efforts ultimately lead to Oedipus’ set destiny.
To prevent his inevitable death, Oedipus's father,Laius decides not to give his son the chance to grow up and pose a threat to him. As a result, he pierces Oedipus's ankles and ties a rope
The people of Thebes were punished for the death of Laius by the gods and the result being the plague and infertile land. If they found and exiled the murderer of Laius, the plague and infertile land that has been placed upon Thebes will come to an end. Since Creon, the brother of Jocasta, knew that Oedipus was a saviour, suggests that he should try to find the murderer of Laius. But when Oedipus meets Teiresias, Teiresias refuses to speak with him. After much taunting by Oedipus, Teiresias finally tells him that Oedipus was the one that killed Laius. Enraged, Oedipus accuses Creon of working with the prophet to frame him and seize the throne. “True: it is not from me your fate will come. That lies within Apollo’s competence, As it is his concern. Tell me: Are you speaking for Creon, or for yourself”(21). This explains how Creon sent for Teiresias and how his intentions were actually good.. Creon simply wanted to make the job of finding the murderer of Laius
“Where did you get him? From your house? From somewhere else? Not from mine, no. A man gave him to me”(62). The baby was Oedipus, who would eventually become king himself. When Oedipus asks questions to the shepherd, he answers in riddles to avoid Oedipus from knowing the truth about him murdering his father. The shepherd slips the fact that the herdsmen witnessed Laius’s death. Oedipus sends for the herdsman hoping that he will get more insight on the truth. “I do not know. The man who gave you to me Can tell you better than I. It was not you that found me, but another? It was another shepherd who gave you to me”(55). This clearly shows that the shepherd was the one who gave the baby to the herdsman. The herdsman, in turn, gave the baby to King Polybus and his wife. Eventually Oedipus fathoms the truth, feeling foolish for not understanding the whole situation. As a repentance for the grave crime he has committed unknowingly, Oedipus stabs out his eyes and Jocasta starves herself to death. Creon finally exiles Oedipus for the murder of his