Essay on Oedipus and Tragic Hero

Submitted By ccakamaggie
Words: 1723
Pages: 7
Open Document
It is revealed that Oedipus is a member of the ruling/higher class, which fulfills one of the characteristics of a tragic hero. However, the truth behind his birth destroys him. In the scene where the Old Man is brought before Oedipus for questioning, the truth is uncovered. Long ago when Oedipus was only a child, he was sent away from his home to the Old Man because of a prophecy that Oedipus would one day kill his father and marry his mother. During the questioning, the Old Man is unaware that Oedipus is the baby boy who was sent him and when the Old Man says he received the boy from Laius, who was the former King of Thebes, it is now known that Oedipus is of royal descent. Oedipus is set apart from other common people because of his royalty and terrible destiny, but mainly it's his prophesied doom. Because Oedipus is of royal descent he is a natural born leader and is of higher status than other people, which makes him unlike others, giving him heightened powers. His ill-fated destiny sets him even further apart from others. In the play Oedipus describes his fate while he is speaking to the Messenger when he says, "Why, Loxias declared that I should one day marry my own mother, and with my own hands shed my father's blood." That is a fate which sounds more like a curse; therefore, Oedipus is set apart from common men. Oedipus's fate is a combination of several factors. To try and change his own fate, which was given to him by the oracle, Oedipus tries to keep himself away from his parents. However that does absolutely nothing for him. His fate was affected by an outside source when the old man saved his life while he was just a baby. Another factor that affected Oedipus's fate was the will of the gods, for they gave him the prophecy in the first place. As the play progresses, Oedipus becomes more and more alone, for he drives his family and friends away from himself. He does this by refusing to believe what others are telling him. Throughout the play Oedipus speaks with numerous people who tell him of his unknown past and of his ill-fated prophecy, but out of stubbornness he casts them away because he does not like what they are telling him. Oedipus continues to do this, for he has become obsessed with the prophecy and he vows to uncover the truth. Meanwhile, Jocasta, Oedipus's wife and unknowingly also his mother, advises him not to seek the truth of who his original birth parents were. Despite her pleads, Oedipus continues his search and Jocasta leaves the scene shouting, "O woe, woe, unhappy! This is all I have to say to thee, and no word more, for ever!" Jocasta therefore must have realized Oedipus was her son because she committed suicide in her bed chamber, in order to prevent even more suffering. Oedipus is revered as an intelligent man by the people of Thebes and is asked for help when the city is in crisis. Oedipus shows his brightness even before he is King by solving the riddle of the Sphinx that pestered Thebes. So, knowing of Oedipus's knowledge, the priest comes to him and asks for his help in ridding the Thebes of the plague. " thou art named, and known, our life's establisher. Thee therefore, Oedipus, the mightiest head among us all, all we thy supplicants implore to find some way to succour us, whether thou knowest it through some voice from heaven, or, haply of some man." Oedipus offeres his help and devotes himself to finding Laius's murderer, in order to cure to city. Oedipus does learn through suffering throughout the story. He learns that destiny has been set in stone by the gods. No matter what he does, he cannot prevent his life from spiraling out of his control and eventually hitting rock bottom. As the play progresses he learns more about his past. Every time he learns something new about his past, he sees that his life becomes more and more corrupted. For instance, when he was talking to the old man he learns that his prophecy had
Show More

Related Documents: Essay on Oedipus and Tragic Hero

Oedipus Tragic Hero

epic hero or a tragic hero. Oedipus from Sophocles’s “Oedipus the King” is a tragic hero who without knowing kills his father, marries his mother, and help spawn his brothers and sister in this epic tale. The main character Oedipus embodies the characteristics of a tragic hero with his tragic flaw, his fate which affects the kingdom, he rules and by also being doomed from the beginning of his birth. Oedipus’s tragic flaw is ignorance which he demonstrates throughout most of the tale. Oedipus is talking…

Words 479 - Pages 2

Oedipus Tragic Hero

known as Oedipus Rex. What is the definition of a tragedy? Aristotle came up with six requirements which Oedipus Rex meats with perfection. “Oedipus Rex [is] the tragedy that most closely fit[s] [Aristotle’s] guidelines. Oedipus is the model of the “tragic hero,” because the concept is based on him” (Moliken and Osborne 69). In other words, Aristotle came up with his definition of the “tragic hero” by looking at the story of Oedipus Rex by Sophocles; thus, it makes perfect sense that Oedipus Rex fits…

Words 1515 - Pages 7

Oedipus As A Tragic Hero

Aristotle definition, a tragic hero is a hero of high standings who is capable of great suffering. The tragic hero must pass many excellent qualities in character, but possess one character flaw which will ultimately lead to their demise that the audience accept this downfall. Oedipus can not be considered a tragic hero. Oedipus does not meet all the qualifications that is required to become a tragic hero. Oedipus does fit the qualification of the High Standings. Oedipus figured out the Sphinx riddle…

Words 411 - Pages 2

Oedipus Tragic Hero

A tragic hero by definition is a great or virtuous character of high standing in a dramatic tragedy who is destined for downfall, suffering, or defeat through one of their flawed characteristics that the audience is able to connect to. Therefore by this definition, Oedipus is not a tragic hero. Oedipus is not a tragic hero for the simple fact that he has more than one characteristic that leads to his downfall. Oedipus is a perfect example of a character of high standing, because Oedipus is king…

Words 741 - Pages 3

Oedipus Tragic Hero

According to Aristotle, a tragic hero has certain characteristics which include a noble birth and virtue. He also has greatness, but not perfection which helps the rest of humanity relate to him. Inherently, a tragic hero has a downfall, of his or her own doing, which frequently is a result of hubris. Typically, the consequence of this flaw is greater than the act committed, but the tragic hero’s fall from greatness will lead to greater personal self -awareness. The demise will also raise empathy…

Words 1392 - Pages 6

Oedipus; a Tragic Hero Essay

Oedipus Rex as a Tragic Hero Before the twentieth century plays were mainly written as either a tragedy or comedy. In a tragic play the tragic hero will often do something that will eventually destroy him. In the book Oedipus the King, Oedipus is the tragic hero. In this tragic play the main character, which is portrayed as Oedipus, will do a good deed that will in turn make him a hero. This hero will reach his height of pride in the story, and in the end the action, which he had committed earlier…

Words 521 - Pages 3

Oedipus Tragic Hero Essay

A tragic hero, a literary character who makes a judgment error that inevitably leads to his or her own destruction. Many tragic heroes generate overly tragic stories because they become instruments of suffering for others. In Sophocles Oedipus the King our tragic hero is Oedipus as the reader watches the irony unfold around Oedipus because they know the true outcome of the play but Oedipus is oblivious to all events to come. Northrop Frye examines the many faults in Oedipus’ disposition, as it appears…

Words 679 - Pages 3

Who Is Oedipus A Tragic Hero

Oedipus Essay A hero is an ordinary, everyday, run-of-the-mill person, who is willing to rise to an occasion in which a hero is vital to solve a conflict. In many works of literature, author tend to gravitate towards heroes as the main character of their works. Sophocles, the author of Oedipus Rex, focuses on Oedipus, the main character consumed by the plot which revolves around his personal conflict or a conflict in which he must attempt to solve. Oedipus is a tragic hero, a theory created by Aristotle…

Words 1449 - Pages 6

Oedipus Tragic Hero Essay

“A man doesn’t become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall.” According to Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero, Oedipus could absolutely be categorized as a tragic hero, because he displayed signs of suffering, weakness, and doom. These traits also ultimately left Oedipus physically, mentally, and emotionally wounded by his experiences. The audience of this story were interested in looking at a tragic hero drown in his appalling fate. Aristotle’s theory helped solidify why the…

Words 865 - Pages 4

Oedipus Tragic Hero Essay

Greek play, there is almost always a tragic hero. If there is a tragic hero, then he has a tragic flaw. His flaw could be arrogance, ignorance, or even being too ambitious. Aristotle has even names Oedipus as the ideal tragic hero because of his actions. In Oedipus the King, Oedipus shows the five characteristics that every tragic hero possesses. According to Aristotle, the first characteristic that all tragic heroes have is that they come from a royal family. Oedipus has been next in line for king since…

Words 759 - Pages 4