A Tragic Hero
In the play Oedipus the King, Oedipus the main character hurtles towards his own desolation. Oedipus's ignorance, (pride, power, murder and incest) lead to his own destruction. Sophocles, the author of Oedipus the King, shows this by moving the main character through the stages of a tragic hero. Oedipus moves from being noble to having a flaw to committing evil and ultimately being finally noble. Oedipus is very noble and because of this others show admiration for him. Sure, Oedipus was born into nobility, however he had to work for it. Initially, and for most of his life he was ignorant and unsure of his real parents. The people of Thebes loved Oedipus just as he admired his people. As a dangerous and deadly plague settles over the city of Thebes, the Thebans look to their noble leader Oedipus for help and guidance. " The city is filled with smoke of burning incense, with hymns to the healing god, with laments for the dead... here I am, myself, world-famous Oedipus" (Oedipus 2). Oedipus, realizing that there is a need for help decides he will do anything possible in order to stop the deadly plague. In order for the plague to end, Oedipus must find the answer to who murdered Laius. Resolving this murder myster
He is willing to do anything for his people and for this the citizens of Thebes admire him. The sorrows of my people here mean more to me than any fear I may have for my own life"(Oedipus 6). " Oedipus outranged all others and won complete prosperity and happiness. He has committed incest with his mother. Jocasta, his wife and mother is also ignorant throughout the play. Oedipus refuses to accept the information that people tell him and for this he suffers. Oedipus is ignorant and acts blind when people tell him where he came from. Oedipus's pride is a major flaw in the play that causes others to fear him. He was committing incest and he wasn't aware of it. noblest of men, we beg you, save this city" (Priest 2). Jocasta sees this and she expresses her dissatisfaction with Oedipus. In conclusion, Sophocles illustrates Oedipus's own destruction by moving him through the different stages of being noble, to having a flaw, to committing evil and ultimately his final nobility stage. Oedipus claims the right to inflict dreadful punishments upon Creon for specific reasons.
Common topics in this essay:
Oedipus Oedipus,
Thebes Oedipus,
Polybus Merope,
Laius Resolving,
Oedipus King,
Jocasta Oedipus,
God Thebes,
Thebes Selfishness,
Creon Oedipus,
King Oedipus,
oedipus oedipus,
city thebes,
own destruction,
people thebes,
throughout play,
final nobility,
play oedipus,
thebes oedipus,
committing evil,
oedipus noble,
noble flaw committing,
lead oedipus's destruction,
king thebes oedipus,
error lead oedipus's,
evil error lead,
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Acceptance Essays
