Who Is Oedipus A Tragic Hero

As king of Thebes, Oedipus had made a promise to be devoted to his people and make the city triumph. Therefore, Oedipus sends someone to seek advice from the gods in order to be able to discard the plague. As a result, he uncovers that the only way to succeed in his duty as king was to find the killer of the previous ruler of Thebes, Lauis. Oedipus, being as prideful as he was, saw himself determined to seek justice for king Lauis. In addition, nothing was going to impede Oedipus from acquiring the justice he was so daringly desiring. His necessity for justice exposed Oedipus’ anger and ambition that eventually caused his own

At the beginning Oedipus is characterized as a great leader. For example, he solves the riddle of the Sphinx, which is the winged female monster that terrorized the city (Sophocles 487). Here we can see how Oedipus is clever and smart. In result the people of Thebes respect him for his cleverness and reward him as King. People even look at him as being almighty when it comes to handling problems such as, when there is a plague that is killing people, animals and made women give birth to nothing. They knew he would help as long as he was aware of the situation. “We’ve come because you are the best man at handling trouble or confronting the gods” (Sophocles 487). This statement shows how people depend on him and look at him as a great leader. It also shows how he is a man of action and looks after his people as a king should. With that being said, he is told to find the killer of Laios and either banish them or kill them to stop the plague. Likewise, he did what he is commanded to do, he obeys the god and search for the killer that killed the previous king. Furthermore, he follows instruction and is concerned for himself and the people of Thebes. “My heart grieves for you, for myself, and for our city” (Sophocles 487).

Oedipus is an act first, think later type of king who sees but only one way is the right way, and that is his way. In the story the readers can see that Oedipus intentions are pure. When he said “Then I’ll go back, start fresh, and light up that darkness, Apollo was exactly right, and so were you, to turn our minds back to the murdered man. It’s time I joined your search for vengeance; our country and the god deserves no less.” (Sophocles) You can see that he is trying to do what’s best for his people and the gods.

Oedipus is one of the most famous tragic heroes in drama history. His bizarre fate leads him to a tragic defeat that leaves the audience and reader feeling emotionally overwhelmed. According to Aristotle’s definition, Oedipus’ story makes him as a tragic hero. Oedipus is the personification of Aristotle’s characterization of a tragic hero through his ability to maintain and keep his virtue and wisdom, despite his shortcomings and situation in life. Aristotle’s observation of a tragic hero does not reveal the lack of morality or the evil of the character, based on an error in judgment. The tragedy and drama fit the Aristotelian characteristics of Oedipus.

Through the use of suspense and various antitheses, Oedipus is given a providence ceasing in failure and an undesirable death, though he accepts it admirably and honorably. Sophocles takes into consideration his audience and successfully brings about a catharsis within them, purging the audience with various inflicting emotions towards Oedipus as he stumbles through his hardships and failures. In the end, the story of Oedipus and his ending is truly a tragedy and should contribute to one’s everyday thoughts as a mnemonic and moral lesson that not all stories end with a happily ever

Throughout the play Oedipus reveals to us different sides to him and one side that we clearly and quickly see is his arrogance. He constantly expresses his abilities to bless the land of Thebes and grant others wishes. When others challenge Oedipus’ power he lashes out and defends himself to let all know he is the king and he has the highest power. “You’ve lost your power,

Aristotle stated that “a man doesn’t become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall,” when describing a tragic hero. Throughout history, there have been many literary tragic heroes: Hamlet from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Romeo from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, and even Jay Gatsby from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Often times, when discussing tragic heroes, the Theban tragedy of Oedipus Rex and his family is brought up. The tragic hero, Oedipus Rex was the heir to the throne of Thebes who was prophecized to kill his father and marry his mother. Due to this, he was abandoned at birth by his birth parents and adopted. Believing this prophecy would cause him to kill his adoptive parents, Oedipus flees his

The harms and pitfalls that Oedipus experiences are all an adverse effect of his attempts to avoid his fate as was foretold to him by the oracle of Delphi. The moment he heard the prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother he fled from Corinth to Thebes where on the road he unknowingly kills his true father the current king of Thebes. When Oedipus makes it to Thebes he is coming to a land that has no king and is plagued by the sphinx, this is a turning point for Oedipus and brings about the fulfilment of the prophecy this is confirmed in a later conversation with Tiresias where is quoted saying "It brought about your ruin." (Sophocles 428). When Oedipus solves the riddle of the sphinx he takes his place as king and the hand of the old kings wife Jocasta, who just so happens to be his mother. By solving the riddle Oedipus is filled with confidence and it shows in the way that he addresses the people in the first lines of the play as "My children" (Sophocles 1). By using the term children instead of a more commonly used citizens or people we see that Oedipus himself feels that he is more than just a king to Thebes he feels as if he is almost like a paternal leader to those who look towards him for guidance. This pride first presents its self in a negative context in the conversation between

(CITE) Oedipus demonstrates his morality through his deep care for others, especially the Thebans. Upon his arrival to Thebes, he cures the city’s plague by solving the Sphinx’s riddle, a task which no Theban could complete. The chorus praises Oedipus’ success, saying “you came here … and freed us from the tribute we were paying to that cruel singer - and yet you knew no more than we did and had not been taught” (Sophocles 40-43). Oedipus risked his safety by interacting with the Sphinx to protect the Thebans. This act shows Oedipus’ care for Thebes through his selflessness and concern for others, despite not even knowing the Thebans. Even after Oedipus becomes King of Thebes, in honour of his ability to solve the Sphinx’s riddle, he still cares about Thebes. Oedipus demonstrates this when he listens to the chorus’ concerns, which represent Theban concerns. When the chorus shares its anxiety about the plague with him, he responds “I am not ignorant of what you yearn for … I sorrow for myself, and for the city, and for you - all together … I’ve been shedding many tears” (Sophocles 67-77). This quote shows that Oedipus is already aware of and worried about the plague’s implications for his subjects. Thus, it demonstrates Oedipus’ compassion. Oedipus’ care for those “below” him in rank shows that he wants to help his subjects regardless of their role in the hierarchy and is not a cold

In Oedipus The King by Sophocles, Oedipus, the great king of Thebes, suffers a reversal of fortune when he attempts to change his fate. Oedipus is prophesied to kill his father and to marry his mother so he leaves Corinth to come to Thebes so this prophecy does not come true. As Thebes is being countered by a plague, Oedipus is trying everything he can to help the citizens. Throughout the play, Oedipus seeks knowledge about the plague later leading to his downfall. Oedipus is seen as a hero to his city due to his contributions, but he soon has a tragic ending when he seeks for knowledge.

King Oedipus is so much more than a catastrophic hero. He is very similar to Athens, the city that had intentions on becoming dictator of Greece. In his name, tyrannos, in the nature and basis of his power, in his character, and in the mode of his theatrical action, he is similar to Athens. The resemblance of Athens, whether deliberately perceived or not, must have won Oedipus the sympathy of the Athenian audience and solidly drew in the feelings of the crowd in the hero’s action and grief. Yet, it accomplishes something more. It adds an extra length of significance not only to his livelihood but also to his fall, which suggests, in symbolic, foretelling the fall of Athens itself. Like King Oedipus, Athens validates unceasing and ever more

From the start of his life, Oedipus was thrown into series of tragic events that would shape not just his life but the lives of everyone he was associated with. The story of Oedipus has received worldwide acclaim and has been praised as one of the "greatest achievements of Greek dramatic art". When Sophocles wrote Oedipus, he did so in a way that pioneered what a true tragic hero should be and it was written in way that has continued to impact the moral compass and emotions to those that read this epic tale, still to this very day.

The play Oedipus The king written by Sophocles, and it setting in Greek, Thebes. The Oedipus The King was a play that describe Oedipus' tragedy life and his unfair fate that already been told. In his whole life he try too hard to change the fortune and not hurt anyone. Oedipus was a character that fill with self-confidence, most of time in his life was fill in too much tragedy happen. Like been in need, leaving the hometown that he grew up, and accidentally killed his real father, and marry to his mother. After that, he realized everything that he did even destroyed the eyes to punish himself. For those tragedy issues happen on Oedipus how couldn't say he was a tragedy hero.

To understand Oedipus’s character as a whole, one must discuss his good or bad qualities. Foremost, the current King in this narrative is a respectable character, in carrying major traits to justify his status. As a reader expects from a hero, he is courageous. This is evident within to text as it mentions Oedipus saving Thebes from the sphinx, who ultimately dies after Oedipus solves a riddle. His courageous discipline encourages determination

Humans will go to any extent to avoid harmful situations. This is demonstrated in the tragic play written by Sophocles, Oedipus the King. Sophocles describes a tragic hero who tries to avoid his fate only to find that he cannot escape his destiny. Oedipus is given the unfortunate prophecy of killing his father and marrying his own mother. However, it is not fate that leads to his downfall, it is Oedipus’ hubris, uncontrollable anger as well as his insatiable curiosity which contribute to his inevitable ruin.