Oedipus Tragic Hero

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The Greeks were known for putting on a show. They loved to make up plays and divide them into one of two categories; tragedy or comedy. One of the most famous tragedies written by the Greeks is a play 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 the description of a “tragic hero” perfectly. The first requirement to be considered a tragic hero is that the hero of the story must be “a man of noble stature. He [must] not [be] an ordinary man but one of outstanding qualities” (Jonson and Arp 1252). Oedipus, the hero of Oedipus Rex, meets this description perfectly. Not only is Oedipus the “powerful king of Thebes” (Sophocles 1259) but he is also the son of a king (Laius) and was raised by another king (Polybus of Corinth). …show more content…
In other words, the hero gains some knowledge from his defeat. This is what happens to Oedipus. Oedipus has a tragic fall; however, he learns from his mistakes. He now understands that anger, hubris, and the overzealous pursuit of justice can get him into trouble. Oedipus “accepts [his fate] and acknowledge[es] that it is to some degree just” (Jonson and Arp 1253). Furthermore, the fall is not a loss on the audience. The end of the play demonstrates the truth; “let every man in mankind’s frailty consider his last day; and let none presume on his good fortune until he find life, at his death, a memory without pain” (Sophocles 1301). In other words, no person should be thought of as blessed until they are

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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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Essay on Oedipus and Tragic Hero

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…

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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…

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