Oedipus Rex as a Tragic Hero
Oedipus Rex is a Greek tragedy written by Sophocles in the 5th century BC. It is a story that revolves around the character of Oedipus, who is considered a tragic hero. In this article, we will explore the characteristics of a tragic hero and how they apply to Oedipus.
Who is a Tragic Hero?
A tragic hero is a character in a play or a novel who possesses qualities that lead to his or her downfall. The character usually has a high status in society and is respected by others. However, the character's tragic flaw or hamartia, which is often an excessive trait such as pride or ambition, ultimately leads to their downfall.
Tragic heroes are not entirely good or bad; they have a mixture of both positive and negative qualities. They are often described as flawed heroes because they have the potential to do great things but are ultimately brought down by their flaws.
Oedipus Rex as a Tragic Hero
Oedipus, the protagonist of the play, is a tragic hero. He is the king of Thebes and is respected by his subjects for his intelligence, compassion, and leadership. Oedipus is portrayed as a man of action who is not afraid to take risks and make tough decisions. He is also a man of strong will and determination, which makes him a powerful leader.
However, Oedipus has a tragic flaw, which is his excessive pride. He believes that he can solve the riddle of the Sphinx, a creature that has been terrorizing Thebes. Oedipus is convinced that he is smarter than everyone else and that he can outwit the Sphinx.
Oedipus' pride ultimately leads to his downfall. He solves the riddle of the Sphinx and becomes the hero of Thebes. However, he is unaware that he has fulfilled a prophecy that was foretold to his father, Laius. The prophecy states that Laius' son would kill him and marry his wife, Jocasta. Oedipus, who is adopted, does not know that Laius is his biological father, and he ends up fulfilling the prophecy.
When Oedipus discovers the truth about his identity and what he has done, he blinds himself and is exiled from Thebes. Oedipus' excessive pride is his tragic flaw, and it ultimately leads to his downfall.
The Characteristics of a Tragic Hero in Oedipus Rex
Oedipus has several characteristics that make him a tragic hero. These characteristics include:
Noble Birth
Oedipus is the son of Laius, the former king of Thebes. He is also married to Jocasta, the queen of Thebes. Oedipus is of noble birth and has a high status in society.
Tragic Flaw
Oedipus' tragic flaw is his excessive pride. He believes that he is smarter than everyone else and that he can solve the riddle of the Sphinx. His pride blinds him to the truth about his identity and leads to his downfall.
Reversal of Fortune
Oedipus goes from being a respected king to a blind, exiled man. His reversal of fortune is caused by his tragic flaw and his actions.
Recognition
Oedipus recognizes his tragic flaw and how it has led to his downfall. He realizes that he is responsible for his actions and that he cannot escape the consequences.
Catharsis
The audience experiences catharsis when they see Oedipus' downfall. They feel pity and fear for him and are able to release their emotions through the play.
Conclusion
Oedipus Rex is a classic tragedy that tells the story of a tragic hero. Oedipus fulfills all the criteria described by the Aristotle in his book ‘’Poetics’’. So we ay say that Oedipus Rex is tragic hero in the play.
