In most great works of literature, past events play a significant part, both positively and negatively, in affecting the values, present actions, and attitudes of a character. Whether the event be personal or societal, the impact these events have on a character can ultimately affect the meaning of the work immensely. In Oedipus Rex, the main character, Oedipus, becomes aware of several past events which contribute to the play and his what seems to be his fate - several events that allow the reader to understand his reasoning behind decisions he makes. As Oedipus develops his relationship with the past events, a theme of of the play is revealed that trying to escape the ruthless realities in the world is impossible and unfavorable events must happen at one point or another. The past events that Laius experience affected Oedipus in his search to find the former king’s murderer, and influenced how they lead Oedipus to carry out the prophecy he dreaded. “He said that a band of highwaymen attacked them, outnumbered them, and overwhelmed the King” (9). Although Laius tried to avoid his fate by putting his son on the mountain to die, he was still killed as predicted, nonetheless. Oedipus, as a child, had no control over what was happening at the time, but his destiny drove him to eventually kill his own father. One cannot avoid fate, but the actions one takes can postpone it. Oedipus was merely at the right place at the right time to kill Laius and his men. Laius only postponed his fate when he allowed Oedipus to grow up as a stranger rather than killing him, leading to the fulfillment of their fates. Oedipus is then pushed to become the King of Thebes and eventually marry Jocasta. Oedipus is a character who tries to avoid the truth and the word of the Gods for his personal beliefs by deciding to escape the truth of reality:"...that damned man, the murderer of Laius, that man is in Thebes. To your mind he is foreign born, but it will