¡§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 condition
             3 (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:
             Oedipus does not 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. He learns of his human condition, his own weakness of character in trying to overcome God and fate.
             Macbeth on the other hand knowingly commits murder and battles all fronts to avoid the consequences. His crimes multiply and intensify, damning him completely. In contrast, Lady Macbeth goes mad when the realization of the horror overwhelms her. In contrast Macbeth remains sane and unaffected.
             „X It cannot be said that they are remembered for their glory or for their virtues.
             Oedipus is pitied as a sorrowful victim of his own hand and is, at most, respected for the purging of his si...