What was Sophocles' view on fate and free will?
Fate is a river into which all human actions flow, a current too powerful to resist. While a person may believe they steer their own course, the ultimate destination is often preordained. Consider Oedipus; he strove with all his might to escape the prophecy, yet his very efforts propelled him towards its fulfillment. This does not mean that human choice is meaningless, but rather that our choices operate within a larger, divine framework. The weight of knowledge about one's destiny can be a terrible burden, and the attempts to defy what is fated often lead to greater suffering. What is fated must come to pass.