Life and Fate in Oedipus the King
The tragic play, Oedipus the King, written by Sophocles is written in a classical form which begins with the account of the dramatic conflict between Oedipus, his biological parents and ending with the catastrophe of the death of Oedipus. The main theme of the play is the incest of Oedipus with his mother and the killing of his father, just as the oracle was predicted. During the play, the reader is aware of the many stages that unfolds in the life of Oedipus as well as what his fate will bring to him. Although life was given to Oedipus, his fate was clearly foreseen by his parents and the townspeople from the very beginning of the play. The play unfolds when Oedipus becomes the new King of Thebes and marries the wife of the deceased King, Laius. Oedipus was chosen as King of Thebes as a reward for being the only one to solve the Sphinx’s riddle and restoring Thebes back to its originality, by saving them from the plague. After Thebes is restored, Oedipus is made aware about the death of the King. ... Creon reports back to Oedipus and tells him, “He was murdered; and Apollo commands us now to take revenge upon whoever killed him.” Oedipus decides to search for the murderer in fear that his life may also be at risk.