Examples Of Prophecy In Oedipus The King

A prophecy is that which represents a snapshot of one’s future in a realistic lens. It predicts the events that will occur to an individual or a society. In “Oedipus the King”, the oracle at Delphi stated that when a son is born, “he [is] destined one day to kill his father and to become his own mother’s husband” (Sophocles 1). The citizens of ancient Greece were religious who believed in oracles and the truth they withheld. They believed that these prophecies made were inspired by God, and held a greater importance and value as opposed to other influential factors in an individual’s life such as friends (Ustinova 265). For this reason, Oedipus similarly believed and trusted the validity of this prediction, as he knew that the inferences made about his future will be fulfilled. Another evidence supporting

Furthermore, this prophecy is an example of fate persistently playing its hand, and the belief that one only acts upon what is foretold about their future. Relating back to Oedipus where he is unaware of his immoral relationship with his mother, it exemplifies the power of fate since it can make individuals unknowingly follow those steps that were already foretold to occur. In other words, the prophecy of this marriage was made before Oedipus was born, and ironically he followed exactly what was predetermined of him to do, without him knowing. This exemplifies the fact, that it is not possible for any individual to be able to change their predetermined future as there is a purpose to everything. Oedipus is, “destined from before his birth to kill his father and marry his mother, there’s nothing Oedipus can do about this” (Nassaar 149). Ultimately, it is also in fate of Oedipus to kill his father as firstly, the first part of the revelation was followed through making it a requirement for the second segment to be