The Tragic Hero in Oedipus Rex and Macbeth
"The tragic hero is characterized by his transfiguration. His suffering refines him and he learns, from his agony, a deeper understanding of the human condition. His downfall is not an obliteration because he leaves a memory of glory." How accurate is a description of Oedipus Rex and Macbeth? Are they transfigured by their experiences? 1 ¥characterized by his transfiguration': defined by his tansformation into a moral symbol (as transfiguration has religious connotations).2 (a) ¥refines him': purifies and improves through K (b) ¥learning and understanding': hero achieves greater knowledge of his weaknesses as being those of the human condition3 (a) ¥downfall not an obliteration': not destruction (but makes way for something (b) ¥memory of his glory': what remains is the memory of his courage, his virtue "X In order of relevance and accuracy, the quotation more accurately describes Oedipus than Macbeth."X The difference in their ¥transfiguration' or lack thereof lies in the knowledge of their tragic flaws and their acceptance of the consequences:
Evidence: These indicate his understanding of the treachery of his act and the fact that he only acts to preserve his own welfare and pride. There is no transfiguration, no increase in self-knowledge, no real purging of sins and purification. 'These suggest his lack of acceptance. He learns of his human condition, his own weakness of character in trying to overcome God and fate. Oedipus' moral being takes second place to his exile. know what he has done, actually takes it into his own hands to avoid such criminal behaviour by leaving Corinth but learns when his crimes are revealed that he is merely mortal, fated to play out what has been prophesied. Macbeth on the other hand knowingly commits murder and battles all fronts to avoid the consequences. Only the memories of his crimes remain. So in that respect there was little learning. Oedipus is pitied as a sorrowful victim of his own hand and is, at most, respected for the purging of his sins. - Macbeth's speech upon hearing Lady Macbeth's death: ¥Life's but a walking shadow; a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more: it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. (Others may argue that it is precisely the complete submission to one's fate that defines the true tragic hero: Thus Oedipus finally submits and Macbeth fights to the end despite knowing he will be killed. But is this recuperation always meaningful?In Oedipus Rex the conclusion is an unsatisfying thing V Jocasta kills herself, Oedipus blinds himself and sentences himself into exile, his children are cursed (Is there catharsis?). Macbeth is slain in battle and Lady Macbeth kills herself. The purging of sins is unsatisfying because it is most unfortunate.
Common topics in this essay:
Lady Macbeth,
Cithaeron Macbeth,
Understanding Oedipus,
Oedipus Macbeth,
Rex Macbeth,
Oedipus Thebes,
Lady Macbeth's,
Kill Drown,
Definitively Creon,
Oedipus Rex,
lady macbeth,
purging sins,
human condition,
tragic hero,
macbeth evidence,
purifies improves,
oedipus macbeth,
downfall obliteration,
oedipus rex,
avoid consequences,
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Acceptance Essays
