To what extent is King Oedipus responsible for his downfall?

King Oedipus is largely responsible for his downfall due to his own actions and decisions. He unknowingly fulfills the prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother by killing King Laius on the road and later marrying Queen Jocasta. Oedipus also displays hubris, or excessive pride, throughout the play, which leads him to ignore warnings and refuse to accept the truth about his past. His determination to uncover the truth ultimately leads to his downfall as he discovers his own guilt and blinds himself in shame. Overall, while Oedipus may have been fated to fulfill the prophecy, his own choices and actions play a significant role in bringing about his tragic fate.

The extent to which King Oedipus is responsible for his downfall is a complex and contested question. On the one hand, it is clear that Oedipus makes a number of fateful decisions that contribute to his tragic end. He chooses to ignore the oracle's warning that he will kill his father and marry his mother, and he refuses to believe the truth about his origins even when it is staring him in the face. These decisions are clearly his own, and they lead directly to his downfall.

On the other hand, it is also important to recognize that Oedipus is a victim of circumstance. He is born into a family with a dark history, and he is destined to fulfill a prophecy that he cannot control. In this sense, his downfall is as much the result of fate as it is of his own actions.

Ultimately, the question of Oedipus' responsibility is a matter of perspective. Some readers may see him as a tragic hero who is ultimately responsible for his own downfall, while others may see him as a victim of circumstance who is doomed from the start.