Oedipus Rex Practice Test 2025 – The Complete All-in-One Guide to Mastering Your Exam!

Oedipus holds Apollo responsible for his self-harm because he believes that the god has orchestrated the events of his life, leading him to fulfill the tragic prophecy. In "Oedipus Rex," Oedipus grapples with the notion of fate versus free will, and he comes to view his suffering as a curse imposed by divine forces, specifically Apollo. He feels betrayed by the oracle’s predictions, which set in motion a series of actions that led to his tragic downfall.

This perspective underscores Oedipus’s struggle with the idea that, despite his best efforts to avoid his fate, he was ultimately powerless against the will of the gods. His self-harm is a manifestation of his despair and realization that he has been manipulated by a force greater than himself. As he confronts the horror of his actions, including the murder of his father and incest with his mother, he attributes the cause of his misery to Apollo for allowing or foretelling these events. This belief highlights the theme of fate's inescapability in the play.