Tragedy, according to Aristotle, is "when an essentially good or noble person, through some error or weakness, brings suffering upon himself; some self-understanding evolves. The hero is more noble in defeat, than before." Greek tragedy is the quintessential expression of ancient Greek culture. Through historical and literary documentation, it is evident that the importance of religious, familial, and community dynamics place as chief moral ideals of the time. In ancient Greece, cities were governed by a king, where community life was essentially self-reliant. By and large, Greek values emphasized a subservient relationship with the gods, allowing the deities to have full control over one's fate.
             Many of these ideals, as well as social concerns, are expressed in the story "Oedipus the King" by Sophocles, through Oedipus' relationship with his family, his kingdom, and the Gods. His character evolves throughout the story, and it is accurate to say Oedipus goes through the character change from a prideful and heroic king at the beginning of the play, to a tyrant in denial towards the middle, and finally to a fearful and condemned man, at the end. In essence, Oedipus was blind from the truth and throughout this tragedy, the theme of knowledge versus truth plays an integral role in attributing to his gradual character transformation, personal ruin, and downfall.
             Oedipus, although arrogant and quick to anger at times, commences the play as an honest, intelligent, and responsible ruler. In the beginning of the play Oedipus shows great compassion for the well-being and health of his fellow citizens. As the priests talks to Oedipus about the "Black Death luxuriating in the raw, wailing miseries of Thebes, "(37-38) Oedipus reply's saying "...Well I know/you are sick to death, all of you,/but sick as you are, not one is sick as I./Your pain strikes each of you alone, each/ in th...