Fate is one of the main ideas that drive the Thebian plays by Sophocles, but fate is not the main theme. Fate is merely a device that moves the play forward – sort of a deus ex machinima device. In Antigone, it is clear that fate plays a role in the outcome of the play, but it serves as a platform to express the themes of religion(gods) and the role of catharsis in Greek society.

The most apparent role of fate is the ominous prediction that Creon will be left with nothing. Of course, fate prevails and his whole family, his son Haemon, his wife, and his other relatives, die. This was only due to Creon’s reluctance to listen to Teiresias. Fate only occurred due to his absurd actions that displeased the gods.

In Greek tragedies, the gods were the bringers of justice, and if you disobeyed the gods, you were cursed with a horrid fate. This wasn’t the case in Oedipus Rex where Oedipus was unlucky enough to be granted a cruel “fate” by the gods, however, the idea of a god’s wrath is more defined in Antigone. In the end, Creon suffered for his actions and Polynices was eventually buried. The fate that the gods bestow can never be avoided.  This idea of fate subtly, yet strongly introduces catharsis to the audience. Sophocles wanted people to experience pity for the main character, and fear of the gods/fate. This was the common goal of Greek tragedies, thus fate’s role in Antigone was important to the play-writer’s intent.