Guidelines

• Craft a clear, defensible thesis that takes a specific stance on the prompt.
• Use at least three pieces of textual evidence (direct quotes or specific scenes) to back up your argument.
• Address and counter a counterargument to bolster your position.
• Reflect on how literary devices such as dramatic irony, hubris, and hamartia enhance Sophocles's thematic message.
• Your essay should consist of 4–6 paragraphs (introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion).

Suggested Texts/Scenes to Consider

• The Oracle at Delphi's prophecy (Prologue)
• Oedipus's questioning of Tiresias (Lines 300–462)
• Jocasta's rejection of prophecy (Lines 707–725)
• The discovery of Oedipus's true identity (Exodus)

Write a well-organized essay in which you argue that Sophocles uses Oedipus's relentless pursuit of truth to imply that human agency, rather than divine prophecy alone, is the primary cause of his destruction. In your argument, examine how specific literary and dramatic devices — such as dramatic irony, hamartia, and the structure of the plot — support this claim.

Guiding Questions to Consider

• How does Oedipus's pride (hubris) hasten his fate instead of merely accepting it?
• In what ways does dramatic irony influence the audience's perception of free will versus fate?
• What insights does the play offer about the connection between knowledge, power, and suffering?

Requirements

• Formulate a clear, defensible thesis that takes a stance on the interplay of free will and fate.
• Back up your argument with at least three specific textual references.
• Consider and counter a counterclaim (for example, that Oedipus is entirely a victim of divine fate).
• Conclude by linking the play's themes to a broader understanding of the human experience.

Requirements

• Formulate a clear, debatable thesis that takes a specific stance on the connection between fate and free will in the play.
• Back up your argument with at least three pieces of textual evidence, including relevant scenes, dialogue, or actions.
• Consider and counter a counterargument to reinforce your position.
• Conclude by linking your argument to a broader thematic or philosophical significance — think about what Sophocles might be conveying about the human experience.

Scoring Focus

Strength of thesis, effective use of evidence, logical flow of reasoning, and depth of argument.