Oedipus lived a tragic life, for which he was partially to blame. I count him as a hero in the younger days of his life. Having selfless courage to stand on his own two feet and do what he felt was right made him a hero in the early years of his life. He had good intentions and the courage coupled with knowledge to put those good intentions to use. The latter years of his life he became a victim, a victim of his own handy work. Letting his stature among his people become his own demise. Learning when to listen to those around you is a life lesson he did not learn.
             Tragedy struck his life at the very beginning at which he did not give in. He used this tragedy for strength and gained wisdom. This wisdom he used to turn his tragedy into a blessing for a brief period. "From that day on we called you king..."(1257, 1329) Continued reliance upon this wisdom would have dramatically changed the end of his reign as king. Instead of letting his wisdom drive him, he let his emotions take control, and this was a fatal flaw that helped lead to his destruction. "Look at you, sullen in yielding, brutal in your rage you'll go too far...." (1242, 746-) Unable to use his great wisdom because of the rage that has taken control, he does go too far, too far to return.
             When he decided to leave his kingdom for the sake of his parents it took courage beyond what most men can muster. Leaving his city and heading for an unknown place is when his heroism worked for his good. This selfless act of leaving everything he knew and loved for the good of another made him a hero. Using his wisdom and not his emotions he made the decision to leave it was a wise decision , for many people would
             benefit from this decision. "You outranged all men! ... you rose and saved our land."(1257, 1322-1327) Conquering the Sphinx set the people of Thebes free.
             Once he gained the throne of Thebes his arrogance pulled him away from his wisdom and his heroic demeanor. B...