Oedipus Rex, Sophocles - 1252 Words

Oedipus the ideal Tragic Hero Kelli Richards Liberty University Abstract In the play Oedipus Rex, Sophocles portrays Oedipus who is also the main character, as a good- natured, beautiful, noble yet narcissistic person who has a lapse of judgment and fall from power. Throughout the play Oedipus makes a few profound decisions for which he is condemned to plentiful suffering; thus making Oedipus fit the mold of a tragic hero if we agree with Aristotle that Oedipus misfortune happens strictly because of his tragic flaw. Oedipus’ judgment alongside classic narcissistic behavior caused such events as the killing of†¦show more content†¦Aristotle, Using Oedipus as an ideal model, says that a tragic hero must be an important or influential man who has a lapse in judgment. Who then must suffer the consequences of his actions. The audience must learn a lesson from the tragic hero; a lesson of what happens when great men fall from their social or political positions. The tragic hero needs his errors in judgment for a phenomenal effect of audie nce realization to occur. Oedipus tries to prevent his terrible fate from occurring after it is prophesized to Laius, his father, early on; he leaves the city of his foster parents as a preventative measure. Oedipus is being punished for his parents’ actions. His birth parents once set out to seek the advice of the Delphi Oracle but the advice was gloom. They were told never to have children, but in spite of the warning Oedipus was born. Therefore from the beginning Oedipus is a tragic hero, his birth presents his destiny to result in tragedy. As with most tragedies Oedipus birth was noble which made his fall more intriguing to the audience. â€Å"What use are my eyes to me, who could never - See anything pleasant again?† (Sophocles 1293) This statement is the realization of wrongdoing; it is not until now that Oedipus sees his own actions as wrong. There is a significant point of the play where the Herdsman tells Oedipus who his mother is and Oedipus replies â€Å"Oh, oh, then everything has come out true. Light, I shall not look onShow MoreRelatedOedipus Rex, by Sophocles822 Words   |  4 Pagesrelates to Oedipus’s situation from Oedipus Rex by Sophocles. Sophocles‘ Oedipus Rex tells the story of a monarch named Oedipus whowho becomes the unfortunate victim of circumstances beyond his control. In Oedipus Rex, Oedipus‘ downfall is not a result of excessive hubris or his actions, but rather his parents’ disgraceful actions and uncontrollable aspects of fate. Oedipus’ parents actions and decisions are a major element in Oedipus’ tragic downfall. Before Oedipus is born, Laius and Jocasta, theRead MoreOedipus Rex by Sophocles683 Words   |  3 PagesThe play Oedipus Rex is a Greek tragedy written by Sophocles during a time when Athens was the major power of the world. 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Oedipus, King Laius, and Queen Jocasta fall into this category, as they all possess this character flaw. Throughout Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, these characters make decisions based on what is best for themselves. Sometimes putting yourself before others is necessary forRead MoreOedipus Rex by Sophocles Essay1829 Words   |  8 PagesOedipus Rex by Sophocles In Sophocles Oedipus the King which is a tragic play, which discusses the tragic discovery that Oedipus has killed his father and married his mother. Oedipus is the embodiment of the perfect Athenian. He is self-confident, intelligent, and strong willed. Ironically these are the very traits which bring about his tragic discovery. Oedipus gained the rule of Thebes by answering the riddle of The Sphinx. Sophocles used the riddle of The Sphinx as a metaphor forRead MoreOedipus Rex by Sophocles889 Words   |  3 PagesSophocles’s Oedipus the King, fate is primary theme in the play. 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It was all because of Oedipus determination to figure out who killed the great king before him LaiosRead MoreThe Unavoidable Fate In Oedipus Rex By Sophocles1010 Words   |  5 PagesDestiny Fate is an unavoidable force that controls life. Oedipus Rex by Sophocles is a Greek tragedy about Oedipus finding the truth about his origin, while also trying to save the city of Thebes from a terrible plague. Oedipus unknowingly ends up killing his father and marrying his mother. When the truths about his sins are discovered, Oedipus blinds himself and exiles himself from Thebes. Oedipus ultimately could not control fate. Oedipus could not control the fate of citizens of Thebes as a kingRead MoreThe Flaws Of Arrogance In Oedipus Rex By Sophocles796 Words   |  4 Pagesonce said, â€Å"None are so empty as those who are full of themselves.† The words ring true through the character Oedipus whose tragic flaw of arrogance brought his downfall. In his timeless play, Oedipus Rex, author Sophocles unflinchingly illuminates the haughtiness and hubris displayed by the hero Oedipus. Through his candid exploration of the ship/captain and light/dark motifs, Sophocles makes an e ffort to ultimately bring the reader to the realization that arrogance creates an illusion to the truthRead MoreThe Value Of Leadership In Oedipus Rex By Sophocles1326 Words   |  6 PagesBased on evidence, Athenians valued bravery, confidence and heroic strength in their leaders. For example, the entire reason Oedipus from Oedipus Rex by Sophocles became king of Thebes is because he defeated the Sphinx that was guarding the city, saving the citizens (info from the backstory). On page 11, a senator makes the comment, â€Å"if his bosom holds a grain of fear, curses like yours he never will abide.† The reader can assume the Athenians valued bravery because the senator makes a comment against