Final answer:
Oedipus has limited control over his life as depicted in Sophocles' tragedy, where fate ultimately guides his actions despite his attempts to evade it. He accepts responsibility for his actions with dignity, illustrating the concept of a tragic hero and reinforcing the inevitability of destiny, even for those of high social status.
Step-by-step explanation:
Oedipus's Control Over His Life
The question of how much control Oedipus has over his life is a central theme in Sophocles' tragedy. The concept of fate versus free will is explored deeply throughout the play. Firstly, Oedipus is portrayed as a tragic hero, who, despite his noble intentions and efforts to outrun his fate, falls victim to it. He becomes king and fulfills the prophecy of killing his father and marrying his mother without knowing their true identities, illustrating a self-fulfilling prophecy and the inevitability of destiny.
His character responds to the revelation of his actions with horror and self-punishment, taking responsibility for his deeds rather than blaming the gods or fate. This is shown through his line 'the horror was all mine'. Sophocles showcases the human response to divine actions by marking Oedipus as a virtuous character who accepts the consequences of his actions. Oedipus's willingness to face the truth and bear the punishment, even to the extreme of blinding himself and giving up his throne, indicates his understanding of the gravity of his errors and serves as a powerful form of catharsis for the audience.
Through the downfall of a character of high social status like Oedipus, Aristotle notes that not even kings are beyond the reach of justice and the gods, driving home the message that no person, regardless of their status, can escape their fate. (Aristotle's Analysis on Sophocles' 'Oedipus the King', and the element of high social status required in a Greek hero)