Tragic heroes in Greek Tragedy consist of five main characteristics. First of all, the character must pass from happiness to misery. Secondly, the character must not be perfectly just, but must be of good character. Thirdly, the character's downfall must not result from immorality. Fourthly, his downfall must be a result of a hamartia, or a tragic flaw. Lastly, he must belong to distinguished family, in order to make the fall all the greater. In Sophocles' Oedipus Rex, Oedipus best represents the characteristics of a tragic hero.
             In the beginning of the novel, Oedipus is the successful ruler of Thebes with a loving wife and four wonderful children. The citizens of Thebes respect him and obey his laws. However, after the Shepard convinces Oedipus and Jocasta that Oedipus is the murderer of Laius, Oedipus passes from happiness to extreme misery, punishing himself by gouging out his eyes with his dead wife's gold broaches.
             Although Oedipus exhibits hubris, he is of basically virtuous character. Oedipus shows concern for the citizens of Thebes and is determined to find and punish the killer of Laius. His determination to prosecute the murderer results in his demise, as well as that of his family. His downfall was also due to his hamartia, his hubris towards Apollo and his prophecies.
             Oedipus was a morally just man; however he was blind in his actions to defeat the oracle of Apollo. Therefore his downfall does not result from vice or baseness, but from his hamartia and error in judgment.
             Finally, Oedipus was a member of the royal ruling family of Thebes, which dates as far back as Tantalus and Pelops. The family was cursed from the very beginning after Tantalus mocked the gods by feeding them stew made from the meat of his cousin, Pelops.
             In Sophocles' Oedipus Rex, Oedipus best represents the characteristics of a tragic hero. Oedipus passes from happiness to extreme misery, punishing himself...