Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Self-fulfilling Prophecy

In The Theban Plays, there is a recurring theme of whether the prophecies reflect the ability of the Gods to see the future, or whether their future is shaped by the Gods.   At the time that the tragedies were written, poetry was the highest form of art, and the Greeks attended plays at annual festivals that showcased the finest tragedies and comedies.   They were based on religion, culture and also human nature.   These three topics are those that we can all relate to in one way or another, especially human nature and the idea that we can change our destiny through the choices we make.   Through the characters of Oedipus, Jocasta, Antigone, Creon, Ismene and others, we begin to see the true colors of each character and the sacrifices they are and are not willing to make.   Most make choices to avoid a fate, and others make choices that help bring about a fate to which they are resigned.   In The Theban Plays, Sophocles believes that fate is a more powerful force than free will in the lives of his characters.  
The essence of a tragedy is the struggle of the character within him or her self to accept their fate as it has been told to them, or fight it as best they know how with the belief that they can alter their destiny.   Oedipus’ character, for example, contains traits of assertiveness, arrogance, and persistence.   All of these flaws led him to make choices that allowed the prophecy to be fulfilled.   It shows that everything happens for a reason and everything that is meant to be, will be.  
King Oedipus is a great example of Sophocles’ belief that fate will ultimately win out over free will; no matter the choices you make along the way you are leading yourself to your destiny.   As E. F. Watling explains in The Theban Legend, Jocasta attempts to avoid the prophecy of the oracle by abandoning Oedipus, at which point he is saved by a shepherd.   After reaching manhood Oedipus flees Corinth so as not to murder his father and marry his...