In typical Greek fashion, fate played a major role in this play as Jocasta and Oedipus did everything in their power to defy the prophecy from coming true. Despite the valiant effort of Jocasta taking the baby far away, the prophecy prevailed. Upon realizing the harsh truth of the incest, Oedipus committed, he begins to breakdown and feels an overbearing feeling of guilt as hey says, "I have done such things to the two of them, crimes too huge for hanging." (1503-1504) Unlike Jocasta, Oedipus refuses to hang himself as he feels like being hanged is not a just punishment for what he has done. Hanging himself would not suffice for the sins committed. As for Jocasta, her hanging says a lot about her character. Instead of facing reality and owning up to what has happened, she chooses the easy way out which is suicide. She doesn't have to deal with public banter or living with the humiliation of sleeping with her son. In fact, the choice by Oedipus to not hang himself tells the readers a lot about his character. This shows that Oedipus is in fact an honorable man who does not run from scrutiny or deserved punishment. Oedipus turns to Creon and says "Drive me out of Thebes, in exile." (1667). He begs to receive punishment for his sins he committed. Irony plays a huge role in this play as the drive and curiosity of Oedipus lead to his own demise as a king. This is a major example of curiosity killing the cat.