The aim of this essay is to demonstrate that the events of Oedipus the King, written by Sophocles, are the result of the hero's self-determination and his agitated attempt to escape a terrifying destiny predicted for him by the oracle of Apollo at Delphi. My intention is to prove that although fate plays a crucial role in the story, it is Oedipus's choices and bad actions that ultimately lead to his downfall. At first glance, it seems that the main character's heinous fate is at the mercy of mischievous and cruel gods. However, upon examining all the tangible clues in the text, it becomes clear that Oedipus is himself a willing participant in his own actions. The king was therefore not a victim of fate, as many scholars seem to believe, and that he was never completely controlled by it. In order to better understand this relationship between free will and cosmic order, we must take a close look at the myth. According to Nagle, in the ancient world, fate and destiny played a crucial role in the lives of human beings. Every aspect of life has been touched and influenced by the gods who have manifested themselves in many ways (Nagle 100). The Greek word for destiny “anake” (necessity) embodies the fatalistic belief that the universe and everything in it is governed by unpredictable forces. These forces are personified in the form of three goddesses, the Moirai. “Clotho” which spins the thread of life, “Lachesis” which determines the length of a life and “Atropos” which cuts the thread of life. In conclusion, even if destinies seem pre-written, men are allowed to exercise a certain influence over them. In The Birth of Tragedy, Friedrich Nietzsche places the Moirai above all knowledge and in control of the destiny of all.... ... middle of paper ...... we the king. In Robert W. Corrigan (Ed.), Classical Greek and Roman Tragedy (pp. 245-251). New York, NY: Applause Theater Book Publishers. Nagle, Brendan D. (1979). The ancient world: a cultural and social history. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Eppley, George. “Confess road rage.” Human Development 26.3 (2005): 48. Academic research completed. Muntz Lib., Tyler, Texas. March 25, 2009. Jevons, Frank B. (1997) “In Sophoclean tragedy, humans create their own destiny. » In Readings on Sophocles, edited by Don Nardo. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven PressAristotele, PoeticsLondon, Nick Hern BooksNietzsche, FW The Birth of TragedyLondon, Dover Thrift S.Dodds, ER “On the Misunderstanding of Oedipus Rex.” » Greece and Rome, second series 13.1 (1996): 37-49. Jstor. Muntz Lib., Tyler, Texas. March 21, 2009.Plato, ApologiesThe Bobbs-Merrill Company Library of Liberal Arts