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 mystery

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Oedipus feels he is in ruling power here and Creon testing him only forces Oedipus to not like him even more. “ Where am I going? Pity me! Where does my voice range to through the air? O spirit, what a leap you made” (Oedipus 95)! Oedipus has indeed lived the life that was set out for him. I failed the paper because I didn’t listen to my own self. This quote demonstrates the pity that is being shown for Oedipus by the other characters.

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. Here Oedipus’s final nobility, his true realization of his life has been revealed. It is clear here that the city is in trouble and the people are turning to Oedipus for help. I stand revealed – born in shame, married in shame, an unnatural murderer” (Oedipus 89). Because of the people’s genuine admiration for Oedipus he feels comfortable and supported to make any decision for his city as a noble leader. “ Oedipus outranged all others and won complete prosperity and happiness. Others see his anger and are embarrassed for him. He was committing incest and he wasn’t aware of it. Oedipus is proud enough to pursue the final question: “ Who am I?” Anything that Oedipus does to himself he takes pride in. Here, Jocasta begs for Oedipus to believe the man because she feels he is not lying.

Approximate Word count = 2176
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)

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