How does Sophocles manipulate different literary terms to enhance the theme of Oedipus Rex?

Sophocles uses many themes to create one of the greatest Greek tragedies of all time. This lesson will go over the complex themes of 'Oedipus Rex' and how those themes propel the plot of this tragic play.

Fate vs. Free Will

The idea of fate and free will comes up a lot in Oedipus Rex. The characters seek out prophets and oracles to find out what prophecies are in store. For instance, when Oedipus is told his father was not his natural father, he seeks out the oracle of Delphi to find out the truth. The oracle does not actually tell him if his father is actually his natural father; he is only told he will kill his father and marry his mother. Oedipus uses his free will to try and escape the prophecy, yet he ends up fulfilling it, literally, while running from it. Jocasta tries to calm Oedipus by telling him she does not believe in prophecies, since she and Laius were once given a prophecy that did not come true. When she recounts the story, Oedipus shares his own prophecy, yet they try to pretend this is merely a coincidence. We, of course, know otherwise.

In the end, Oedipus accepts that no one can run from fate; however, he states humans are able to use free will in how we respond to fate. After gouging out his eyes, Oedipus states the gruesome action is by his own free will, and not by the will of the gods.

Sight vs. Blindness

The theme of sight vs. blindness is used to show how characters seem capable of only seeing what they want to see. This theme is used in conjunction with irony, as the character that can see the most is actually blind; then, when the character that has the worst vision can actually see the truth, he blinds himself.

In the play, Oedipus claims he will save the people of Thebes from the plague by helping everyone see what they have all been blind to. Only the blind prophet, Tiresias, is able to see the truth about Laius' murderer. Oedipus refuses to see the truth and mocks the prophet's literal blindness. Tiresias warns Oedipus through riddles that he will soon be blind. When Oedipus finally sees the truth, he literally gouges out his eyes so he does not have to see the pain that he has caused or suffered.

chapter i -- paris: september, 1792

a surging, seething, murmuring crowd of beings that are human only in name, for to the eye and ear they seem naught but savage creatures, animated by vile passions and by the lust of vengeance and of hate.

during the greater part of the day the guillotine had been kept busy at its ghastly work: all that france had boasted of in the past centuries, of ancient names, and blue blood, had paid toll to her desire for liberty and for fraternity.

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