Fate is always an ongoing theme in tragedies, with the main character always following fate’s path. Fate is a force that is always present and nothing the character does will be able to change it. It is meant to be fulfilled, no matter how dark or morbid the prophecy is.

The Chorus tells us that Antigone will die young and that a pair of brothers will fight each other and die a “common death” and one will not be buried. As this tragedy plays out, we see how each action and each scene will eventually lead to the fulfillment of the Chorus predictions. Oedipus’ death results in his two sons having to alternate being King, which will not work out. Power can make a man hungry for more and it seemed to make no sense that this alternation of power would continue for long. Eventually, the two brothers DO kill each other and a part of the Chorus predictions have been fulfilled. Creon then orders that Polynices will not be buried but we know of Antigone’s love for her family and we know that she will definitely disobey the King’s orders. Creon does not want to imprison Antigone but she herself requests to be imprisoned. Antigone is young and does not understand the circumstances surrounding the death of her brothers. Her own misunderstanding and stubbornness causes her to fulfill her own fate.

Fate is an important theme in tragedies. We see from tragedies that fate is inevitable and that destiny is meant to be fulfilled.