Aristotle defines tragedy as "the imitation of an action that is serious and also, as having magnitude, complete in itself." It incorporates "incidents arousing pity and fear, wherewith to accomplish the catharsis of such emotions." (http://www.teachtheteachers.org) This type of tragic play shows the audience the darker side of human behavior, and takes the audience through a torrent of emotions as the tragic hero progresses through the play. Aristotle defines a tragic hero "as a man whose misfortune is not brought about by vice of depravity but by some error of frailty." (Literary Terms for Tragic Heroes) This frailty that Aristotle refers to is commonly known as a tragic flaw, and is the reason for the protagonist's eventual collapse. Two key examples of tragic heroes are Oedipus in Oedipus the King and Creon in the play Antigone, written by Sophocles. Oedipus and Creon exemplify the characteristics of tragic heroes because they both rise to a position of power, have a tragic flaw, ignore the urging of others, and eventually encounter great pain and suffering due to their tragic flaw.
             Oedipus was a strong and caring king who controlled immense power within the kingdom of Thebes. Oedipus gained his power and respect by answering a riddle that destroyed the sphinx, which had been pillaging the land. After Oedipus had defeated the sphinx he was labeled a savior by the people of Thebes, and gained the thrown from his actions. The people of Thebes trusted Oedipus to protect and lead them in times of need; one example of this trust is seen through the priest's statement, "Oedipus, king, we bend to you, your power we implore you, all of us on our knees: find us strength, rescue!" (Oedipus 50-53) The priest begs for guidance when famine and death begins to sweep the city, and when he states "we bend to you" he is stating that all the inhabitants of the city will follow...