Oedipus, a Tragic Hero?
Oedipus, a Tragic Hero?
Elizabeth Howell
English 102- B33
Professor Katie Robinson
Liberty University
October 12, 2012
Oedipus, a Tragic Hero?
Thesis: Using Aristotle’s five different descriptions 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.
Outline: I. Introduction and Thesis Statement II. Is the character of noble birth? A. King of Thebes B. Real father was king III. Though the tragic hero is pre-eminently great, he/she is not perfect. A. Freewill B. Fallibility IV. The hero’s downfall, therefore, is partially his/her own fault. A. Easily angered B. Unwilling to accept truth. V. The hero’s misfortune is not wholly deserved. A. Gauges his own eyes out. B. Banished from Thebes. VI. His actions result in increased self-knowledge. A. By calling for the shepherd, Oedipus learns that the prophecy came true. B. Oedipus, unknowingly, killed his father and married his mother. VII. Does the audience feel pity for the character? A. Even though Oedipus and his parents tried to change the prophecy, it all came true in the end anyway. VIII. Conclusion
Oedipus, a 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. As Aristotle said, the tragic hero is a man of noble stature. This
Elizabeth Howell
English 102- B33
Professor Katie Robinson
Liberty University
October 12, 2012
Oedipus, a Tragic Hero?
Thesis: Using Aristotle’s five different descriptions 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.
Outline: I. Introduction and Thesis Statement II. Is the character of noble birth? A. King of Thebes B. Real father was king III. Though the tragic hero is pre-eminently great, he/she is not perfect. A. Freewill B. Fallibility IV. The hero’s downfall, therefore, is partially his/her own fault. A. Easily angered B. Unwilling to accept truth. V. The hero’s misfortune is not wholly deserved. A. Gauges his own eyes out. B. Banished from Thebes. VI. His actions result in increased self-knowledge. A. By calling for the shepherd, Oedipus learns that the prophecy came true. B. Oedipus, unknowingly, killed his father and married his mother. VII. Does the audience feel pity for the character? A. Even though Oedipus and his parents tried to change the prophecy, it all came true in the end anyway. VIII. Conclusion
Oedipus, a 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. As Aristotle said, the tragic hero is a man of noble stature. This
Cited: Struck, Peter T. (October 08, 2012). Oedipus as the Ideal Tragic Hero. Retrieved from http://www.classics.upenn.edu/myth/php/tragedy/index.php?page=oedhero The Oedipus Trilogy Wang, V.K. (October 08, 2012). Oedipus the Tragic Hero. Retrieved from http://www.essayforum.com/writing-feedback-3/oedipus-tragic-hero-5624/ Krantz Aristotle. (October 08, 2012). Retrieved from http://vccslitonline.cc.va.us/tragedy/aristotle.htm Research Paper Grading Rubric