COMPARE THE CONCEPT OF FATE IN OEDIPUS THE KING WITH THAT IN AT LEAST TWO OTHER TEXTS (THE ILIAD AND HAMLET).
The concept and idea of fate is explored in the texts Oedipus the King, The Iliad and Hamlet. Fate can be described as being an unavoidable predetermined event or destiny. (Qtd. in Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 14 May. 2007.
Sophocles play Oedipus the King explores the concept of fate as being a driving force between the events that unfold within the play. In the play Oedipus parents (King Lauis and Queen Jocasta) send him away to be killed because of prophecy that tells that Oedipus would one day kill his father (Laius) and marry his mother Jocasta. "He'll be revealed a brother and a father to his children in his house, husband and son to her who gave him birth; wife-sharer and the killer of his father." (Sophocles, line 457) However the servant did not kill Oedipus instead giving him to a childless King Polybus and Queen Merope of Corinth, who then raised him. Oedipus later on learns of the prophecy from the Oracle; that he is destined to kill his mother and father. Fearing that he would kill Polybus and Merope he fled Corinth. But his fate soon catches up to him, because while wondering he is confronted by a group of men who he killed in self defense. Unknown to him one of the men he killed was his biological father Lauis, fulfilling part of the prophecy. Oedipus soon after enters Thebes after successfully answering the Sphinxs riddle. Upon entering Thebes, Oedipus is greeted like a hero, for successfully crossing the Sphinxs path, and his reward for doing so is Jocastas hand in marriage. Jocasta being the widowed Queen of Thebes (wife of Lauis), and therefore Oedipus biological mother. So Oedipus married his mother and killed his father unknowingly just as prophecised. Fate is unavoidable, despite King Lauis and Queen Jocastas best efforts to prevent the prophecy from occurring, it did. Oedipus was not killed like they had wanted, because he had a destiny to fulfill. Also by running away Oedipus did not evade his divine decree, he still fulfilled it. Everything meant to be, will be. Therefore, it is safe to say that Oedipus fate was sealed. Even though he tried to escape it he could not, proving that his life and surrounding events were predertermined and none of his best efforts could have prevented what unfolded. Oedipus the King is a play that showcases the concept of fate and how predetermined events are inescapable.
The Iliad by Homer too explores the concept of fate as the motivating source behind unfolding events. In the poem it is clear that the city of Troy is fated to fall and that death is unavoidable for Hector and death is also foreshadowed for other characters, Achilles revenge and death is also foretold. It is also very clear that many of the characters in this poem use fate as an explanation for unfolding events. When Achilles best friend Patroclus is killed by Hector, he vows revenge on Hector and Troy, but Achilles mother forewarns him that if he seeks revenge he will die. The immortal goddess Thetis with her glistening feet, that two fates bear me on to the day of death. If I hold out here and I lay siege to Troy, my journey home is gone, but my glory never dies. If I voyage back to the fatherland I love, my pride, my glory dies. (Homer, line 489 503). (Although Achilles does not die in The Iliad, he does die later on in following Homer work). After the death of Patroclus (Achilles best friend), Hectors fate is sealed because it is clear that he will die at the hands of Achilles, just as is foreshadowed. Hector does die at Achilles hands, therefore this predicted events relates back to the idea of fate. Even despite his best efforts, Hector cant avoid his fated death. The city of Troy was fated to fall and this is evident in the war that ensues. The Trojans are defeated in battle by the Achaeans, which meant that Troy as it was known was to change. Troy was fated to fall, and despite best efforts by the Trojans, and even the interference of Zeus did not stop the city from falling. It could be said that the downfall of Troy began when they betrayed their pact with the Achaeans to cease fire. Hectors poor leadership also led to Troys eventual downfall. The events that unfolded in The Iliad were led by fate. It was fated that Troy would fall and it did, Hectors death was predicted and Achilles future downfall is also fated in this poem.
The play Hamlet by William Shakespeare explorers the idea of fate as the reason behind the chain of events that unravel during the play. Prince Hamlet is fated to kill his Uncle Claudius as revenge for being responsible for his (Prince Hamlet) fathers death. King Hamlet (Prince Hamlets father) appears to him as a ghost telling him of his fate to kill his Uncle. It is also apparent that Hamlet himself is fated to die because he constantly refers to it. My fate cries out, and makes each petty artery in this body. As hardy as the Nemean lion's nerve (Shakespeare, 81 -83) and there's a divinity that shapes our ends, rough-hew them how we will". (Shakespeare, 5.2, lines 7-11.) Hamlets death is also clearly foreshadowed by his deepening madness and depression, and by Claudius plan to have him killed. It is also clear the death of Polonius was not accidental, but it in fact fated to occur in order for the following sequences of Laertes, Claudius, Ophelia and Hamlets deaths to occur. This point is shown by the following statement by Hamlet, for this same lord, I do repent: but heaven hath pleased it so, to punish me with this and this with me, that I must be their scourge and minister". (Shakespeare, 3.4, lines 172-175) Polonius was fated to die so Ophelia would die from sorrow, and so Laertes would seek revenge. Claudius is destined to die for killing his brother; King Hamlet. Claudius tries to escape his fate when he realises that Hamlet is aware that he was the one responsible for his fathers death. Upon realizing this he tries to have Hamlet killed by manipulating Laertes (Polonius son). But Claudius plan does not go accordingly because Hamlet kills Laertes and then kills Claudius by stabbing him and forcing him to drink poisoned wine. Claudius death was unavoidable despite best efforts to prevent it from occurring. Hamlet also died as was fated. He died after killing Laertes and Claudius as a result from a wound he received from Laertes poisoned blade. As Hamlet already knew of his fated death, he spoke his last words let be. (Shakespeare, line 224)All the events that occurred in Hamlet were fated, everything happened for a reason.
The texts Oedipus the King, The Iliad and Hamlet are plays that explore the idea of fate as the main driving force behind the events that occur. All of the character in these texts tried to avoid their fate, but none of them were successful. Fate is a predetermined destiny that is unavoidable as is clearly shown in all three plays. Everything that was meant to happen did happen showing that there is no way to intervene nor run away from what is already predetermined.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 14 May. 2007.
Homer. The Iliad. Trans. Robert Fagles. Penguin Classic, Reissue edition, 1998
Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Chelsea House Publications, 1987
Sophocles. Oedipus the King. The Oedipus Plays of Sophocles: Oedipus the King; Oedipus at Colonus; Antigone. Plume,1996
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