What role does fate play in the theme of justice in the play?

In "Oedipus Rex," fate is a central theme that deeply intertwines with the notion of justice. The play emphasizes that the characters are bound by destiny, which is often portrayed as a predetermined path that they cannot escape. Oedipus, despite his efforts to avoid the prophesied fate of killing his father and marrying his mother, ultimately fulfills the oracle's predictions, demonstrating that fate dictates the terms of justice in his life.

This connection between fate and justice highlights the idea that the characters are subject to a higher power that governs the moral order of their universe, suggesting that their acts, while appearing as choices, are part of an inevitable course set by fate. Thus, the resolution of justice in the play transcends human agency and aligns with the concept that ultimate justice may not be dictated by human laws or conventions, but rather by a cosmic sense of balance rooted in destiny. By illustrating how fate plays an unalterable role in determining Oedipus’s tragic circumstances, the play underscores the belief that justice is inextricably linked to the inescapable designs of fate.