Journal #3: What is the role of the gods?
Oedipus is almost constantly concerned about the gods and the oracle. He bases his entire life on what the oracle said to him and his father. The oracle said that he would kill his father and marry his mother, so this fear occupies Oedipus' mind constantly. The thought that he may control his own decisions and destiny does not cross his mand, so the gods play an eminent role in the play. This complete reliance on gods is surprising, and it seems like the Grecians do not want to accept responsibility for their actions, instead saying that their fate was decided by a higher power. Certain characters speak to gods who control whatever the character wants changed. So it's as if Grecians go up to a fast food restaurant and order what they want.
I think you are on to something when you say that the Grecians do not want to accept responsibility for their actions, but I don't really agree with your "fast food" analogy. I don't think they rely on the gods because it allows them to pray for certain things. Their reliance on a higher power takes the chance of life out of their hands, so in a way it gives them some sort of security, knowing that everything is being controlled. Their devotion to the gods also shows that they expect the gods to be able to fix their problems, and this lightens their responsibility for their lives.
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