Preview

The Tragic Hero In Oedipus The King

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
227 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The Tragic Hero In Oedipus The King
The tragic hero in the story "Oedipus the King" is Oedipus himself, and every tragic hero must have a tragic flaw; the tragic flaw for Oedipus was becoming the King when he married his mother. "Wealth, power, [and] craft of statesmanship! Kingly position everywhere admired, " stated by Oedipus, where he is in the high position of the play. Going on with the play, Oedipus discovers that his "parents" (King Polybus and Queen Merope) were not actually his real parents, making him question the King and Queen, who denies everything; Oedipus, of course, does not stop there. The reversal takes place when he hears his destiny by the oracle, leaving him to make the decision to go "to a land where [Oedipus] should never see the evil sung by the oracle,"
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Tragic Hero In Oedipus The King
    • 610 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Tragic Hero In Oedipus The King

    Someone can go from having everything to nothing, in a blink of an eye. Having everything that was needed and desired to having nothing can really change the way people act and function. In this world there are two types of people, people that have to work for their necessities and people that just get handed what they want. But what happens when it all gets taken away from one mistake? A tragic hero is a great or virtuous character in a dramatic tragedy that is destined for downfall. In the play Oedipus the King, written by Sophacles, the main character is a tragic hero by displaying error in judgement, excessive pride, and reversal of fortune.…

    • 610 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Oedipus Tragic Hero Analysis
    • 1127 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Oedipus Tragic Hero Analysis

    Aristotle once said “A man doesn't become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall.” (Aristotle) Aristotle actually had a lot of ideas about heroes, specifically tragic heroes. He defined a tragic hero as an individual of high social standing, whose fatal flaw leads him to be brought low in a reversal of fortunes, which he later recognizes before receiving a fate worse than he truly deserves. One of the most famous characters from a play in the tragedy genre is Oedipus. His tale is one of destiny, hope, and finally sorrow. The question posed, however, is whether or not Oedipus really does fit this model of a tragic hero. Oedipus must be a nobleman and have his own tragic flaw that causes him to experience a reversal of fortunes…

    • 1127 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Oedipus Hamlet As A Tragic Hero
    • 878 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Oedipus Hamlet As A Tragic Hero

    In our novel Hamlet, our protagonist is faced with the task of avenging his father's death. Who was wrongfully murdered and Hamlet knew so but despite that he still had trouble killing the man who killed his father. This is what makes Hamlet a tragic hero, he uses indecision and procrastination to drive him to his downfall. Oedipus on the other hand is completely different. Oedipus was in denial he tried to stop his own fate, but ended up running “smack dab” into it. He was also filled with rage causing him to do things he shouldn't have done. This is what makes these two tragic heroes. They have terrible flaws that lead them to their downfalls. A tragic hero is a protagonist who tries to save the day and is successful but in the process they…

    • 878 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Oedipus: a Tragic Hero
    • 686 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Oedipus: a Tragic Hero

    Oedipus Rex, or Oedipus the King is Sophocles 's first play of "The Theban Cycle." It tells the story of a king that tries to escape his fate, but by doing so he only brings about his downfall. Oedipus is a classic example of the Aristotelian definition of a tragic hero. Aristotle defines a tragic hero as a basically good and noble person who causes his own downfall due to a flaw in his character.…

    • 686 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Oedipus the Tragic Hero
    • 1402 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Oedipus the Tragic Hero

    In the Fourth Century BC, a famous philosopher named Aristotle wrote about the qualities that a tragic hero must possess. Ever since that time, there have been many examples of tragic heroes in literature. None of those characters, however, display the tragic hero traits quite as well as Oedipus, the main character from the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles. Oedipus is, without a doubt, the absolute quintessence of a tragic hero. His example shines as clear as a sunny summer day.…

    • 1402 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Oedipus Rex and the Hero's Journey
    • 891 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Oedipus Rex and the Hero's Journey

    Discuss whether or not a hero who is tragic by trait and definition can exist within the structure of the monomyth.…

    • 891 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Oedipus The King: A Tragic Hero
    • 471 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Oedipus The King: A Tragic Hero

    A person of noble birth with heroic or potentially heroic qualities, defines a tragic hero. A young man known by the name Oedipus, died a tragic hero. Throughout his life, he was faced with situations that he just could not surpass which led to his gruesome destiny. He was born into a world where the future held nothing but lies and despair.…

    • 471 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Tragic Hero In Oedipus The King And A Doll's House
    • 1128 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Tragic Hero In Oedipus The King And A Doll's House

    Throughout history many authors and their works of literature have been studied and pondered upon in order to fully understand them. Amongst these works of literature are two great pieces, Oedipus the King, by Sophocles, and A Doll’s House, by Henrik Johan Ibsen. Both authors tell empowering stories about unveiling the truth and empowerment in marriage yet the way Sophocles and Ibsen go about telling these stories is very different. A tragic hero is one that has many characteristics and through both of these plays readers gain insight on how these characters are true tragic heroes by them displaying a scene of suffering, a tragic flaw, and a tragic dilemma.…

    • 1128 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Tragic Downfall Of Oedipus The King
    • 553 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Tragic Downfall Of Oedipus The King

    The main concentration of Oedipus was preventing his downfall in the story, but due to his inner blindness and the rest of his character flaws he was unsuccessful in this journey, which is the reason that Oedipus was a static character throughout the whole story. He has various flaws, which always started multiple conflicts in the story, all of which gradually directed him to his downfall in the plot of the play. All of the shortcomings of Oedipus are the reason for his quick, horrific downfall from his kingliness into poor, ever-wandering blind man he has become by the conclusion of the story.…

    • 553 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Character Analysis Oedipus The King
    • 701 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Character Analysis Oedipus The King

    In the book,Oedipus Rex, part of the Sophocles series, Oedipus, the powerful king of Thebes, is a very ego full ruler. He believes that one must prove himself in order to be a leader. “I am aware that no king can expect his subject’s complete loyalty without proving himself first.” Oedipus demonstrated to his peoples that he was qualified to govern them after saving the province of Thebes. “You saved us from the Sphinx, that flinty singer, and the tribute we paid her so long; yet you were never better informed than we, nor could we teach you: It was some god breathed in you to set us free.(pg.5)” The people are declaring how he saved them once, and now can save them again from a sickness. What Oedipus does not realize is the sickness is his…

    • 701 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    A TRAGIC HERO OR NOT - Oedipus
    • 396 Words
    • 2 Pages

    A TRAGIC HERO OR NOT - Oedipus

    Oedipus is definitely a tragic hero. In Aristotle's theory he talks about the ways you become a tragic hero. The first thing that happened to Oedipus is the 'the reversal of fortune leading up to a final recognition'. In the story this happens man times, When he is a baby he was sent to the mountain to be killed which would be a misfortune. A shepherd comes up to the mountain and saves him by bringing him back to Corinth. Oedipus kills his biological father. Later in life Oedipus solves the riddle of the sphinx and becomes the town hero. The next thing that happens would be when Oedipus finds out that he married his mom and killed his father which was what he was trying to stay away from his whole life.…

    • 396 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Oedipus as a Tragic Hero
    • 349 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Oedipus as a Tragic Hero

    Oedipus is considered a tragic hero. Characteristics of a tragic hero are, the tragic hero must be born of noble birth which means a high class /rank. The character is in between being exceptionally good and exceptionally evil. The tragic hero’s misfortune or downfall is brought by some error of judgment that comes from some inner flaw or weakness, not because of some horrible thing he has done. And finally the tragic hero goes through one or more reversals of fortune leading up to a final recognition of truth that has remained hidden from him. In the process of his experiences profound suffering. This leads to the audience feeling pity and fear for the character.…

    • 349 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Destiny In Oedipus The King
    • 669 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Destiny In Oedipus The King

    Oedipus blinds himself in shame, accepting full responsibility for poising the city and willingly takes the punishment of exile. In the end, Oedipus’ arrogance led to his downfall. He lost his wife, his eyesight and his kingship. He uncovered the riddles of his life and found out that he was the boy who was the subject of the prophecy. His intelligence, egotism and arrogance led to this finding which caused him losing all that he had. The resolution of his life puts Oedipus above any other tragic hero. He unravels his life in a way that pushes the limits of agony a human can take and there he finds incomparable greatness of…

    • 669 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Oedipus Tragic Hero
    • 281 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Oedipus Tragic Hero

    Aristotle uses six different points to define a tragic hero. The tragic hero must be of noble stature and have greatness. Though the tragic hero is pre-eminently great, he/she is not perfect. The hero’s downfall is partially his/her own fault, the result of free choice, not of accidental means. The hero’s misfortune is not wholly deserved and the punishment exceeds the crime. The fall is not pure loss. And though it arouses solemn emotion, tragedy does not leave the audience in a state of depression. (VCC Lit Online) Using Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero, we will show that Oedipus in Oedipus the King is in fact a tragic hero and how his decisions led to his downfall.…

    • 281 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Oedipus' Tragic Life
    • 313 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Oedipus' Tragic Life

    Oedipus is self-confident, intelligent and strong willed. Ironically these are the very traits which bring about his demise. Sophocles makes liberal use of irony throughout "Oedipus the King". He creates various situations in which dramatic and verbal irony play key roles in the downfall of Oedipus. Dramatic irony depends on the audience's knowing something that the character does not and verbal irony is presented when there is a contradiction between what a character says and what they mean. Both of these elements are used effectively to develop the tale of Oedipus.…

    • 313 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More

Related Topics