By the end of Oedipus Rex, Sophocles reveals Oedipus' riddle of his birth, a fact which also leads to his loss of his greatest abilities. Despite being told not to try to manipulate his own fate, Oedipus finally discovers the sins he has committed and reacts by self-mutilation. His aggressive attitude towards life and conquering his own fate causes him to willfully punish himself--to become blind. Oedipus' arrogance of his own knowledge and wisdom causes him to believe his ability is beyond mankind and that he can alter fate, a blasphemous act towards gods; therefore Oedipus is blind to the limitation of human power and the significance of divine power. Nevertheless, Oedipus' moment of self-imposed punishment signifies his realization of human frailty, without the removal of his greatest strength, and it also represents his submission to the power of fate.

Oedipus is determined to control his fate and...