The events in Oedipus the King, written by Sophocles, show an underlying relationship of man"s free will existing within the cosmic order or fate that the Greeks believed guided the universe. Man was free to choose and was ultimately held responsible for his own actions. Both the concepts of fate and free will played an integral part in Oedipus" destruction. Although he was a victim of fate, he was not controlled by it. Oedipus was destined from birth to someday marry his mother and to murder his father. This prophecy as warned by the oracle of Apollo at Delphi was...
warning the Greeks that the only way to happiness is through humility and respect towards the gods. They also warn not to take anything for granted, or else suffer a fate like that of Oedipus.

"Look, ye who dwell in Thebes. This man was Oedipus. That mighty king, who knew the riddle's mystery, whom all the city envied, fortune's favorite. Behold, in the event, the storm of his calamities, and, being mortal, think on that last day of death, which all must see, and speak of no man's happiness till, without sorrow, he hath passed the goal of life."