In the play "Oedipus Rex," the concept of fate vs free will is a central theme. On one hand, there is the belief that Oedipus's life is predetermined by the gods and that he has no control over his actions. On the other hand, there is the belief that Oedipus is able to make his own choices and that he is responsible for his own actions.
The idea of fate is presented early on in the play when the oracle at Delphi predicts that Oedipus will kill his father and marry his mother. Oedipus, of course, is horrified by this prediction and takes steps to try to prevent it from coming true. He leaves Corinth, the city where he was raised, and sets out on a journey to find his true identity. Along the way, he meets Laius, the king of Thebes, and in a fit of anger, kills him in a quarrel over who has the right of way on the road. Oedipus then goes on to fulfill the second part of the prophecy by marrying Jocasta, who he later learns is his mother.
Despite Oedipus's efforts to avoid his fate, it seems that the gods have a hand in guiding his actions. When the truth of his identity is revealed, Oedipus is devastated and cannot accept that he has fulfilled the prophecy. He feels that he has no control over his own life and is a victim of the gods' will.
However, there is also the argument that Oedipus is responsible for his own actions. It was his own decision to leave Corinth and seek out his true identity. It was his own anger that led him to kill Laius. And it was his own choice to marry Jocasta, even though he had suspicions about her true identity.
Ultimately, the question of fate vs free will in "Oedipus Rex" is left open to interpretation. Some may see Oedipus as a victim of the gods' will, while others may see him as a man who made his own choices and is therefore responsible for the consequences of those choices. Either way, the play serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of ignoring the will of the gods and the importance of accepting one's fate.
