Oedipus was predestined to kill his father and marry his mother. The gods had foreknowledge of this and it was prophesied before his birth. This was his fate, and there was no way of escaping it. As the story progresses, Oedipus tries to find out the truth about Laius’ murder and his birth, despite the warnings of Tiresias and Jocasta, only to discover that the prophecy told to him by the oracle at Delphi was …showed first 75 words of 567 total…

…showed last 75 words of 567 total…in the outcome of Oedipus’ story. Although his fate has already been prophesied, his actions determine whether it comes true. He could have averted the tragedy, but acted impulsively, avoiding obvious signs. By not obeying the oracle’s warnings, he walked into his fate. Humans are limited by a larger order, but have free will within it. By taking advantage of his free will to try and escape his fate, he brought catastrophe unto himself.