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 in the audience, but consequently will not cause depression or deep mourning. The audience will have a cathartic response which purges them of pity and fear, and in doing so, cleanses the soul. The heroes Oedipus, Creon, and Okonkwo all fulfill …show more content…
King Oedipus is superior not only in his noble standing, but in his brave acts in defeating the Sphinx and saving Thebes. However, he is easily angered and suffers the major flaw of hubris. He lashes out at Tiresias when told, “You are the murderer whom you seek” (Fitzgerald 20). Before an explanation can be offered, Oedipus sends Tiresias away in a fit of rage. His pride makes him unwilling to accept the truth. Oedipus acts similarly in Corinth when a drunkard tells him Polybus and Merope are not his real parents. Additionally, his rage resulted in the death of Laius and his men. This temper demonstrates that Oedipus acts on impulse, rather than rational thought. Oedipus also bears the characteristic of persistence. He uses this trait to extract the truth of his past out of several shepherds. While talking to the shepherd, …show more content…
This character fulfills the definition of a tragic hero, not because he has a noble birth, but because he has a noble stature. He was one of the more powerful men in his clan. He worked his way up from nothing without a strong role model in his life. He is a great fighter and a prosperous farmer. Okonkwo is hard working but is terrified of being construed as weak, unmanly, or in having any characteristic similar to his father. To compensate for his fears, Okonkwo is insensitive and only emotes anger and frustration; he is rigid, inflexible and excessively proud which ultimately leads to his downfall. Okonkwo believes any kindness or gentleness is weak and feminine and he does all in his power to not be viewed as having any of this in the way he rules. Okonkwo rules with an iron fist and has little resilience for change. Like many heroes of classical tragedy, Okonkwo’s tragic flaw, shame and fearfulness led to excessive pride. Okonkwo’s downfall was the result of his inability to accept change. His rigid thinking and lack of flexibility interfered with success in an evolving world. Okonkwo was threatened by the arrival of the British colonists. He thought since the new way of life took the control of his brother and they can no longer fight the colonists because, “How do you think we can fight when our own brothers have turned against us?” (Achebe 176). As a result of his helpless feelings,

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