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The will of the gods is what determines Theban King Oedipus' fate. But it's his own flawed choices and actions that make sure that that fate's carried out. Oedipus is allowed to learn in advance of his unenviable fate by way of the Delphic Oracle. So he learns that he's fated to kill his father and marry his mother.

The two offenses are particularly heinous against the gods and against mortals. The murder of one's father, who also is one's royal sovereign, is seen almost as killing a representative of divine order on earth. The wedding and bedding of one's own mother is seen almost as presuming to behave as the gods.

Specifically, the way that life is started among gods, and among mortals, is through the incestuous relationship of Mother Gaia with her own son, Saturn. But what gods do and what mortals do are two separate issues. Relationships that are considered too close nowadays aren't considered necessarily so in previous times. Ancient and modern peoples nevertheless find common ground in their horrified opposition to the wedding and bedding of mother and son or of daughter and father.

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14y ago
The will of the gods is what determines Theban King Oedipus' fate. But it's his own flawed choices and actions that make sure that that fate's carried out. Oedipus is allowed to learn in advance of his unenviable fate by way of the Delphic Oracle. So he learns that he's fated to kill his father and marry his mother.

The two offenses are particularly heinous against the gods and against mortals. The murder of one's father, who also is one's royal sovereign, is seen almost as killing a representative of divine order on earth. The wedding and bedding of one's own mother is seen almost as presuming to behave as the gods.

Specifically, the way that life is started among gods, and among mortals, is through the incestuous relationship of Mother Gaia with her own son, Saturn. But what gods do and what mortals do are two separate issues. Relationships that are considered too close nowadays aren't considered necessarily so in previous times. Ancient and modern peoples nevertheless find common ground in their horrified opposition to the wedding and bedding of mother and son or of daughter and father.
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Q: How is Oedipus' fate determined?
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Is life unfair to Oedipus in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Yes, life is unfair to Oedipus in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Oedipus gets a fate that he does not deserve. His fate is determined before he is born. Once he learns of his fate as an adult, he makes efforts to outrun it and outwit the gods.


Who does Oedipus blame for his fate?

He blames you for his fate.


What is Oedipus' fate in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Killing his father and marrying his mother is Oedipus' fate in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus hears his fate from the Delphic oracle. The oracle is respected throughout ancient Greece for her insights into divine will and fate. She says that Oedipus is fated to kill his father and marry his mother.


Is Oedipus an innocent victim of an unjust fate in 'Oedipus Rex'?

No, Oedipus is not an innocent victim of an unjust fate in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.). Specifically, Theban King Oedipus hears that he is fated to be his father's killer and his mother's husband. The fate is unjust. But Oedipus makes panic stricken choices that make possible the very fate that he so seeks to avoid.


What is Oedipus' fate?

That he will kill his father and marry his mother is Oedipus' fate in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Oedipus' fate is revealed two times. The first time is to his parents, Theban monarchs Laius and Jocasta, who hear that he will kill his father. The second time is to Oedipus, who learns his fate is to kill his father and marry his mother.

Related questions

Is life unfair to Oedipus in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Yes, life is unfair to Oedipus in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Oedipus gets a fate that he does not deserve. His fate is determined before he is born. Once he learns of his fate as an adult, he makes efforts to outrun it and outwit the gods.


What ethical positions or worldviews are implied in lines 1385-1387 spoken by Oedipus from Oedipus Rex?

Our lives are both determined by fate and freewill.


Who does Oedipus blame for his fate?

He blames you for his fate.


What are examples of fate?

A great example of fate is Oedipus.


What is Oedipus' fate in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Killing his father and marrying his mother is Oedipus' fate in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus hears his fate from the Delphic oracle. The oracle is respected throughout ancient Greece for her insights into divine will and fate. She says that Oedipus is fated to kill his father and marry his mother.


Is Oedipus an innocent victim of an unjust fate in 'Oedipus Rex'?

No, Oedipus is not an innocent victim of an unjust fate in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.). Specifically, Theban King Oedipus hears that he is fated to be his father's killer and his mother's husband. The fate is unjust. But Oedipus makes panic stricken choices that make possible the very fate that he so seeks to avoid.


What is Oedipus' fate?

That he will kill his father and marry his mother is Oedipus' fate in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Oedipus' fate is revealed two times. The first time is to his parents, Theban monarchs Laius and Jocasta, who hear that he will kill his father. The second time is to Oedipus, who learns his fate is to kill his father and marry his mother.


In the story Oedipus The King who is to blame for Oedipus Fate?

he blames the god of balls


Why does Oedipus go to the City of Thebes?

Oedipus goes to the city of Thebes after the oracle at Delphi reveals that Oedipus' destiny was to kill his father and marry his mother. Shocked, he determined never to go back to Corinth, where he was brought up by the King and Queen, who he thinks are his father and mother. He leaves in order to protect them and escape his fate. Luv April4Rain ♥ PS ~ By trying to escape his fate, Oedipus ends up fulfilling his destiny.


What is the contrast between Oedipus and Teiresias in 'Oedipus Rex'?

The incarnation of free will versus fate is the contrast between Oedipus and Teiresias in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus represents freely chosen actions to avoid an unenviable prophesied fate. Teiresias the blind prophet represents fate. He seeks for Oedipus' fate to be realized to the last horrific personal and professional detail. He starts the relentless process by accusing Oedipus of being King Laius' killer.


Does Oedipus deserve his fate in 'Oedipus Rex'?

No, Oedipus does not deserve his fate in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, his fate is to kill his father and marry his mother. He does what he can to avoid offending mortals and blaspheming the gods. But he cannot escape the gods, who do not let up once they decide to pick on someone.


What was an example of the conflict between fate and free will in 'Oedipus the King'?

Oedipus defies the will of the gods by trying to avoid his fate. Ironically, what he does to avoid his fate only leads him to complete it. It is more of a paradox than a conflict.