Oedipus began Oedipus Rex as a king, only to end the tale as a blinded beggar. Oedipus' fall from his kingly status was not by accident or because of some other person. Oedipus is the only one that can be blamed for his misfortune.   Oedipus' character traits are shown most clearly during his spiraling downfall, thinking he is "a simple man, who knows nothing", yet knowing more than he realizes by the end of the story. Even though "fate" seems to determine Oedipus' life, he does, in fact, have a free will. His choices brought the prophecy to life. Only his decisions (not influenced by anybody) he made. Of course those decisions were in side of the limits set by fate. When Oedipus heard a prophecy that his going to kill his father and sleep with his mother he ran away, even when he knew there were suspicions of him being the real son of his parents. The prophecy drove the Oedipus away from home; the terror of the predictions was too much to live with. Oedipus tried everything not to meet the prophecy, and still when he came to Thebes and became the king, Oedipus married an older lady. It was his choice, even when he knew there was a danger of him to know mothers bad, he made it. Oedipus' quest for truth was his choice. When the Teiresias tried not to reveal the truth, The Oedipus was the one, who made the priest to talk: "This city gave you life and yet you refuse to answer! You speak as if you were her enemy. ¦ For God's sake, if you know, don't turn away from us! We are pleading. We are begging you. You will not tell? You monster! You could stir the stones of earth to a burning rage! You will never tell? What it will take?" Throughout the story, Oedipus' haste or lack of patience is most evident. Wishing to end this mystery of the death of Laius as quickly as possible, Oedipus passes an edict to kill or exile anyone who withholds information.  Teiresias tested Oedipus' patience in the beginning of the story with the information h