There are hundreds of character traits that can used to describe a character. Some of these traits lead them to become heroes, but others can lead to a character’s undoing. In the plays A Few Good Men by Andrew Sorkin and Oedipus The King by Sophocles, both authors use the actions of two leaders, Oedipus and Jessup, to demonstrate that having arrogance and an inflated sense of self importance causes a person to think illogically, ultimately inciting their own downfall. To help support this idea Sorkin uses the actions of Jessup throughout the play to broadcast how a leader’s arrogance and ego can lead to their destruction; furthermore, there are many instances throughout the play where Jessup’s inflated sense of self importance leads him…show more content… In the play his ego and arrogance lead him to be ignorant to the truth. Despite Tiresias flat out stating that “‘You are the murderer, you are the unholy defilement of this land’” (Sophocles 21), Oedipus still does not realize the veracity behind his words, instead he automatically assumes that Tiresias is making up the story. His arrogance and ego lead him to not even consider the possibility that there is any truth behind what Tiresias is saying. Since he how could he be the killer when he is the one to save Thebes? This way of thinking causes Oedipus to refuse to think logically. Instead he surges on with his quest to find the truth although all signs point to him being the killer. In addition to Tiresias, his wife/mother Jocasta even tells him “‘If you place any value on your life, don’t pursue the search. It is enough that I am sick to death’” (Sophocles 60). He replies to her with “‘You have nothing to be afraid of. Even if my mother turns out to be a slave…’” (Sophocles 60). Sophocles uses dramatic irony to demonstrate just how delusional Oedipus actually is. His arrogance hinders his ability to fully look at the clues that reveal the truth. Oedipus never realizes that this knowledge could be detrimental. His illogical thoughts lead him to choose the wrong decisions. Had he listened to others and actually realized what the facts are pointing to, he could have saved himself from his gruesome fate. But sadly, just like Jessup, Oedipus allows his own ego and arrogance cause his
