His faults led to his tragic fall; but these defects came from his unfortunate and intransigent fate. A great cloud of distress seizes Oedipus when he realizes his terrible fate. “O fearful destiny that men must see, O most terrible of all who have met my eyes! » (144). Oedipus claims to be a victim of fate, but he does not understand why his was so terrible. It is in his recognition of the truth that the reader feels empathy for Oedipus. The reader feels it because he too knows that this pitiful conclusion is the result of destiny alone, and not of irresponsible behavior..