Abstract
This paper discusses the Sophocles' play "Oedipus the King" focusing on three main points-- the relation of humans to the gods, human attitudes toward the predictions of oracles and the degree of control that the gods have over the lives of mortals. It also discusses the relationships the characters have to the gods.

From the Paper
"In conclusion, the influence of the gods on human lives relies on the relation of the gods to humans, the characters' attitudes toward the predictions of the oracle and the gods' control over the lives of humans. The mortals' belief in the power of the gods, the fact that the gods have ultimate power and the fact that the characters believe that they have free will even thought they don't all affect the roles of the gods in Oedipus the King. The gods reveal things when they are ready and, as the chorus says to Oedipus, "time like the sun sees all things and it sees you. You cannot hide from that light" (79)."

Tags:greek, mythology, tragedy, mortals, Appolo, prophecy, demons, truth, eternal, laws