Tragedy is the oldest form of drama in the western world. It generally deals with two particular points: fate and faith. This is especially the case in Greek tragedy. These plays always incorporate these two points, fate being that no matter what the main character or other characters try to do, their destiny is predetermined for them, and faith being that their storylines or moral values in the play are controlled by higher beings, usually …showed first 75 words of 946 total…

…showed last 75 words of 946 total…characters - it becomes obvious that the events of the play were not predetermined at all. Instead, with a close reading of the text, one can take the interpretation that the choices made by the characters were independently made by each individual. With the Oedipus the King text, Sophocles seemingly made it clear to his fellow Greeks that humankind has the ability, even with prophecies, to make choices free from the influence of divine forces.