Oedipus Rex, Sophocles
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 King Laius and furthermore calling of Teiresias a liar and wedding his own blood. It was Teiresias idea in the beginning to slowly ease Oedipus into the truth; but Oedipus is too proud or perhaps blind to see any truths, and he refuses to believe that he could have been responsible for the horrific crime he is accused. I guess we could say that ultimately Oedipus learned a life lesson about other significantly important happenings than just one person 's fate.
Thesis statement: Could it be that grandiosity creates the ideal tragic hero?
Outline:
I. Abstract
II. What is a tragic hero? How does a character become one?
a. Destined tragedy
b. King viewed as hero
c. Return of nobility and fatal flaw
III. Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero
a. Revealing his father’s name
b. Lapse in judgment
c. Turning point for audience
IV. Founding and prevention of fate
a. Delphi
b. Tragic hero from birth
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 King Laius and furthermore calling of Teiresias a liar and wedding his own blood. It was Teiresias idea in the beginning to slowly ease Oedipus into the truth; but Oedipus is too proud or perhaps blind to see any truths, and he refuses to believe that he could have been responsible for the horrific crime he is accused. I guess we could say that ultimately Oedipus learned a life lesson about other significantly important happenings than just one person 's fate.
Thesis statement: Could it be that grandiosity creates the ideal tragic hero?
Outline:
I. Abstract
II. What is a tragic hero? How does a character become one?
a. Destined tragedy
b. King viewed as hero
c. Return of nobility and fatal flaw
III. Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero
a. Revealing his father’s name
b. Lapse in judgment
c. Turning point for audience
IV. Founding and prevention of fate
a. Delphi
b. Tragic hero from birth