Defying the Inevitable

Around twenty-five hundred years ago in ancient Greece, the criterion for a tradegy was defined by the philosopher Aristotle as a play that concludes with a release of pity and terror. The audience would pity the tragic fate of the protagonist and fear that they might suffer a disaster themselves. Likewise, the playwright had to hold his audience's attention by creating suspense throught the play. One of the greatest tradegians of all time, Sophocles wrote …

…Apollo, friends, Apollo- he ordained my agonies- these, my pains on pains! But the hand that struck my eyes was mine, mine alone- no one else- I did it all myself!" Again Oedipus fails to see that Tiresias did predict his blindness. Oedipus thinks he blinded himself of his own free will. Sophocles end this tragic tale by warning us not to doubt fate nor take anything for granted for fear we suffer like Oedipus.