The Tragedy of Oedipus Essay - 1135 Words

The Tragedy of Oedipus When there is the mention of a hero in literature, the image of a tall, strong man on a pure colored horse, with a sword drawn and the shield held up, crying out to his men the honor and good they will bring in defense of their homeland, may come to mind. This, though, is not the image Sophocles gives to Oedipus, yet Oedipus is considered a true hero. Even if he is not depicted as a great war hero, or one who does some great deed to the benefit of humanity, he is the image of the perfect tragic hero, having normal, imperfect qualities, yet facing the consequences of his actions with dignity. Oedipus personality is clearly demonstrated throughout the play. The first quality he shows is his love toward his†¦show more content†¦Oedipus perseverance to find the truth leads to the punishment he himself pronounced. Instead of hiding his sins, like many probably would have done, he faced the consequences of his actions. He accepted them without a single whimper, and for that he is the perfect tragic hero. Oedipus is the tragic hero and main character of Sophocles play. He is the cause of many deaths and sufferings, whether directly or indirectly inflicting them. At the start of the play, Oedipus is depicted as a loving king, taking good care of his people and doing whatever he can to ease their pains. After realizing his mistakes and suffering the consequences, he became even more humble and kind, but with weak spirit and mind. He had a short temper and flared out with suspicion and distrust. This occurred first when Teiresias accused him of killing, and later when Oedipus suspected both Creon and the blind prophet of plotting against him. However, throughout the whole play, one aspect of his personality was clear: his endless ambition to find the truth. Even when it finally dawned on him that he truly was the son and killer of Laius and the son of his wife, he just had to gather the last piece of the great puzzle to satisfy himself. Jocasta is the wife of O edipus, but also, with such ironic cruelty, his mother. She breaks up the quarrel between Oedipus and Creon, and later assures Oedipus he is not the killer of Laius. Jocasta is very incredulous. She had learned about the fate of herShow MoreRelatedThe Tragedy Of Oedipus Oedipus Rex 928 Words   |  4 Pagesbetween Oedipus’ irrevocable circumstances as well as his flawed character that makes Sophocles’ â€Å"Oedipus Rex† a quintessential example of Greek drama. His circumstances, which are set by the Gods, are profound and beyond anyone’s control; either he must be killed or there will be great consequences. His parent’s rejection of the oracle set by the gods, the degrees of separation from his origin, and his flawed sense of pride is the complexity of the plot as well as what makes Oedipus the complexRead MoreThe Tragedy Of Oedipus The Play Oedipus 1525 Words   |  7 Pagesmurdered King Laà ¯os, to then capture him and put a stop to the plague spreading around Thebes. King Oedipus is profoundly concerned about his people, and is determined to relive the misery that is occurring due to the curse in his city. When he starts investigating, the idea was brought up that it is possible that he, himself, killed King Laà ¯os and that changes his mindset in a different path. 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Also Aristotle identified the basic six parts a tragedy as being plot, characterRead MoreOedipus the King as a Tragedy Essay539 Words   |  3 Pages Many things can describe a tragedy. However, according to definition of a tragedy by Aristotle, there are only five. The play has to have a tragic hero, preferably of noble stature. Second, the tragic hero must have a tragic flaw. Because of that flaw, the hero falls from either power or death. Due to the fall, the tragic hero discovers something. Finally, there must be catharsis in the minds of the audience. Oedipus Rex qualifies as a tragedy. It fits all the characteristics as definedRead MoreThe Tragic Tragedy Of Oedipus Rex1161 Words   |  5 Pages Sophocles’ tragedy Oedipus Rex exemplifies the psychological conflicts that arise as an individual undergoes a drastic realization of character, ultimately leading him on a search to recover his true identity, and along the way bringing to light the darkest demons of his past. The play unfolds through a calamitous tone, which foreshadows the impending downfall of the ruler of Thebes, Oedipus, and the consequences that this downfall will bring to him and all of those around him. The calamitous