Oedipus Rex
Oedipus Rex is a classic example of an Aristotelian tragic hero. Because he was a tragic hero his down fall was not due to the work of Gods or Fate but his own character flaws and personality. According to Aristotle, to be a tragic hero there are requirements a character must possess to be considered a tragic hero. One requirement is that he has to be a man of noble stature or kingship. He must also possess extraordinary powers. The tragic hero is good but must commit an act of injustice or a crime which brings them from happiness to misery. The tragedy is caused by a flaw in his character or personality. Oedipus is Sophocles's tragic hero in Oedipus Rex. Oedipus was a man of noble stature. At first he was adopted by Polybus, the King of Corinth, and his wife, Merope. They pretended he was their son and raised him as the Prince of Corinth. Then Oedipus met with the Sphinx. After answering the riddle he killed her and became the King of Thebes. With this he was the prince of one place and king of another. He was set for a great fall to the bottom. This is the first requirement for being a tragic hero. Oedipus possessed extraordinary powers of wit which allowed him to answer the Sphinx's riddle. In so doing, he
This action lead to all of the conflict later in the play. Oedipus also shows that he wanted to do good by vowing to find the killers of his father(the original King of Thebes). Oedipus won't even listen to good reason because of his blindness. Oedipus was also a good-natured man. His blindness to the matters at hand and his uncontrolled emotions together put him in the correct places and time to fulfill the prophesies. Oedipus, just like all tragic heroes, looked set for life. Laius and Oedipus were both hit-tempered and started to argue over who had the right-of-way. He could have given way then just continued to proceed on his way. Oedipus was a great man and fell into misery because of his own rash actions. Instead he decided to leave Corinth and on his way to Thebes he ran into a group of men at a crossroads. Snaps my patience, then; I want none of it. Had the knowledge that he was adopted by his parents in Corinth, so he knew that his real parents were out there somewhere. Oedipus only saw one side of the matter at hand. " But not for you, not for you, you sightless, witless, senseless, old man!" This shows Oedipus does not believe Teiresias and let alone even listen to him.
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