Compare Contrasting Essays Fate in the Iliad and Oedipus Rex
In the stories of the Iliad and Oedipus Rex, Oedipus and Achilles illustrate the portrayal of how the fate of personal characters can be in their own hands. Oedipus’ selfish thinking caused one of the most tragic turns in his future, reminiscent of Achilles.
As for his excessive pride, it led to the loss of his good friend Patroclus. Oedipus’ boastful manner was the beginning of his catastrophic downfall. A few years before Oedipus became king, he was asked to stand aside while a group of men passed by. His self-esteem was hurt, and he was so angry that he killed the crowd. Thinking that he already knew his true father, Oedipus did not know that one of the members of the congregation he killed was his own father, King Laius. The destruction of his father meant the destruction of the city, which he soon befriended as their king. Oedipus felt that this curse came from above, as he says in line 1285: “Apollo. Dear children, God was Apollo. He brought my sick, sick fate on me.” But he also believed that his ignorance played a significant role in his fate, as on line 700 he says, “I think I may be cursed by my own ignorant edict.” In a not-so-tragic fate that Achilles’ life took, his obsession with his ego and pride was also responsible for the loss of his friend Patroclus.
Agamemnon stole Briseis from Achilles in revenge for having to return Chryseis to her father. In the proud eyes of Achilles, this was a blow to his ego, and he decided that he would not fight in the war against the Trojans. Although his friends remained in the war, he wished Agamemnon humiliation. Before the war, Nestor introduced the idea of Patroclus wearing the armor of Achilles and taking his place in battle, so Patroclus followed this suggestion and went to war in the armor of Achilles. Apollo caused Patroclus to fall from his horse and was killed by Hector. Both of these vain characters could have saved themselves from grief if they had not been so self-centered and vain. If Oedipus’ narcissism had not blinded him, his fate would never have been as harsh or disastrous as it turned out to be. In Achilles’ story, he would never have lost Patroclus if instead he thought of his friends, putting himself first.
