Despite the importance of fate in Greek characters, Oedipus is often described as a man who stubbornly strives to pursue his goals. When news spreads that King Laius died of murder and that the only way to solve this plague is to find his killer, King Oedipus officially appoints himself as chief investigator. He gives the inhabitants of Thebes the impression that he is ready to help, and furthermore promises to help them in any way he can. Oedipus, as king of Thebes, sees his responsibility and asks anyone who knows about the murder to come forward. Oedipus then says, “My spirit grieves for the city, for me, and for all of you” (Sophocles 87). By uttering those words Oedipus fatally condemned himself to future suffering. However, Oedipus fully confirms his lack of determination, considering all tasks as a puzzle solver. As a man who solved the riddle of the Sphinx, he maintained a high intelligence and relied on his own powers to find the truth. However, much to the audience's amusement, the oracle's predictions and Oedipus' investigative method lead to the same result. As Jocasta said: “If only you could have left yourself well enough alone, you would never have discovered the horrible mechanisms of fate” (Sophocles