A Battle of Wills - DE Book Club

Sophocles' Oedipus the King is a tale about the inevitability of fate. It presents a struggle between the human will, embodied by Oedipus, and that of the Gods (or fate). This opposition is set up in the very first scene of the play through Oedipus and the chorus' different interpretations of the upcoming turmoil.

Oedipus is presented as a hero and respected leader. His subjects admire him and depend on him: "In our judgment you [Oedipus] are first of men, both in the normal crises of human life and in relations with the gods." He is a strong-willed man who is quick to take action in the face of adversity: "in my ceaseless reflection I have followed many paths of thought. My search has found one way to treat our disease—and I have acted already." When presented with the mission of atoning "for a murder which brings this plague-storm on the city," Oedipus immediately takes the initiative: "I shall rid us of this pollution, not for the sake of a distant relative, but for my own sake. For whoever killed Laius might decide to raise his hand against me."

Oedipus' dynamic reaction is completely ignored by the chorus. The latter's unique concern is the gods:

"First I call upon you, immortal Athena, daughter of Zeus. And on your sister Artemis, the protector of this land, who sits in glory on her throne in the market place. And I call on far-shooting Apollo, the Archer. Trinity of Defenders against Death, appear to me!"

Throughout the play, the chorus constantly speaks of the finality of the gods' judgment. In the end, it proves right as Oedipus unwillingly hurtles toward his own destruction.

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