Research Paper on:
Oedipus the King by Sophocles and Fate

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
fate plays a role in this play, and our lives is discussed. Bibliography lists 3 sources. BBoefteR.doc THE FATE OF THE KING  Written by for the Paperstore, Inc., October 2000 Introduction Ancient Greeks cared deeply about the pursuit of knowledge. Although the  truth was often a terrifying concept, they still saw it as a critical virtue. The unique Greek theater with its chorus, and collection of ancient stories, was a vital  avenue for this examination. The character of Oedipus The citizens of the city of Thebes have idealized Oedipus so much that he starts to believe it himself. In  the cynical modern world we would say that he perceived himself as "a legend in his own mind." For example, he pompously tells the Chorus, which implores the gods  for deliverance from the city plague, "You pray to the gods? Let me grant your prayers" (245). It is difficult for anyone to remain in such a "rarified" mental state  for long, and his personality wavers from tyrannical to muddled as he attempts to solve the riddle of Laius death. As Jocasta recounts the story of her husbands  murder, Oedipus remarks, absentmindedly, "Strange, hearing you just now . . . my mind wandered, my thoughts racing back and forth" (800-02). If you have come to believe that  you are on a parallel plane with the Gods, the natural tendency would be to blame others. For example, when Tiresias accuses Oedipus of being the murderer, the king takes  the counter-offensive, actually accusing Tiresias of the murder when he asserts, "You helped hatch the plot, you did the work, yes, short of killing him with your own hands .