Oedipus A Tragic Hero

The difference between being a tragic character and a tragic hero depends on the role of the main character in the play. In Death of a Salesman and Oedipus, the main characters undergo a tragedy at the end of the story when they overcome a self realization. The arrogance that is seen through the storyline of these plays, allows the two characters to relate to one another. Willy, the main character in the play Death of a Salesman written by Arthur Miller is an average man in the city that lies to not only his family but also to himself about his success. Willy believes that he is much more important to his city than he truly shows. Oedipus Rex, on the other hand, the main character in Oedipus the great king written by Sophocles, is a true hero
The previous king had been killed and the country was in need of a new ruler. Oedipus was a determined, free willed, and powerful man who was up for the job of taking over the country. However oedipus’ fate and destiny was dragging him down and caused him to have a tragic fall as a hero. Oedipus was known as a great ruler (insert quote about great ruler) when oedipus took over Thebes his fate and destiny destroyed his determination to rule the country. Oedipus is punishing himself for what he has unknowingly done shown through the fate throughout the play. While oedipus took up the opportunity to become the ruler of Thebes, he falls at the end of the play. Oedipus was once a hero but now is taken down by his own arrogance just as Willy was. When oedipus fell from his great power, he ended his life in a tragic way as a tragic hero. The scars on Oedipus’ feet symbolize his experience and his past. There is proof that he has gone through much difficulty in his life to become a man with so much power which was driven by determination. Willy and Oedipus both come to a tragic ending to their lives however the tragedy for oedipus was not until the end of the play when he fell from great power and was no longer looked up to by the people of