In Oedipus Rex, Sophocles explores the conflict between a man's intellectual reasoning and the universe beyond his reach. This may seem like a generalization, but the minor conflicts in the play are probably derived from the main struggle. As we would see, the fate or destiny that opposes Oedipus does not act directly on him, but creates a domino effect which through other conflicts pushes him to face his destiny by bringing his true identity to light. Similar to the riddle of the Sphinx that empowered Oedipus, he must go through the different stages of life to “know thyself” (Rudnytsky 264). The play opens with what may seem like a banal conflict between Oedipus and the forces of nature, but the plague and other misfortunes plaguing Thebes led priests and citizens to ask the king for help. This is the turning point that sparks a search for the truth that ultimately leads to a confrontation between a man's will and his destiny. As we have repeatedly seen in tragedy, the partial resolution of a minor conflict brings about a new one that has greater implications than the previous one. Oedipus as a man of "intellectual ability" who has solved the great riddle of the Sphinx must save the city from misery and demonstrate to its citizens, once again, that he is capable of facing this responsibility (Lewin). He is confronted with a society whose only hope of solving its problems was the wisdom they saw in Oedipus. As described by Jennifer Lewin, Oedipus demonstrating his "admirable leadership skills and noble intentions", had already sent Creon to seek the god's will when the priest demanded action. Although Oedipus preferred man's reasoning instead of god's advice, there were several issues for which he respected...... middle of paper ......the loss of a destiny caused the actions that led to this could we say that it is truly destiny?Works CitedByYanni, Robert. Literature: reading fiction, poetry and theatre. 6th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2007. Lewin, Jennifer. "An Overview of Oedipus Rex." Dramaturgy for students. Detroit: Gale. Literary Resource Center. Network. 26 February 2010.Letters, FJH "The Oedipus Tyrannus". The life and work of Sophocles. London: Sheed and Ward, 1953. 201-230. Rpt. in Criticism of Classical and Medieval Literature. Ed. Jelena O. Krstovic. vol. 86. Detroit: Gale, 2006. Literature Resource Center. Network. February 26, 2010.Rudnytsky, Peter. Freud and Oedipus. Columbia University Press. New York, 1987.