Does fate or his own decisions explain what happens to Oedipus?

Answer 1

It's the decisions that explain what happens to Theban King Oedipus. For example, he's forewarned that he will kill his own father and marry his own mother. He decides to take action against his fate by fleeing what he thinks are his biological parents, Corinthian King Polybus and Corinthian Queen Merope.

But he essentially decides not to keep up his guard. During his flight, he gets into a street brawl over a right-of-way. He decides to keep the fight going by striking back in self-defense. Unfortunately, his response is so strong, so violent that he kills the stranger, who unbeknownst to him is his biological father, Theban King Laius. It's Oedipus' decisionto respond in kind to an individual who's old enough to be his father.

Oedipus also decides to accept the throne of Thebes. Once again, he decides not to keep up his guard. It's his decision to marry Theban Queen Jocasta, who's old enough to be his mother. And Jocasta indeed is Oedipus' mother.

Additionally, Oedipus decides to issue a decree by which Laius' murderer is banished. He decides to say that the decree applies to everyone. In an example of foreshadowing, he decides that the decree is enforceable even and especially if he turns out to be the perpetrator. And he decides to allow for no mitigating factors, such as self-defense. Once again, it's Oedipus' decision not to be merciful and not to give indeterminate sentencing a chance.