Discuss why Oedipus is a tragedy (i.e. its elements)
             „X Knowledge through suffering
             „X Man does not control his own destiny/fateOedipus as a tragic hero.
             „X Pride arrogance (characteristics)
             Oedipus is seen as a tragic hero in the play, a principal character, in a position of social importance being the King of Thebes. His downfall is the result of incidents beyond his control, and is rather the result of fate. In Oedipus Rex, it is not so much a hamartia that leads to his downfall, but more the role played by fate and destiny. His characteristic flaws of pride and arrogance don¡t so much contribute to his downfall, but play more the role of hastening it. From birth, a prophecy existed that he would kill his father and marry his mother, and so his downfall seems inevitable. When Oedipus at a party hears that he may not be his fathers son, he yearns to know more. He finally hears ¡§a tale of horror and misery¡ about how he must marry his mother and kill his father. Through his suffering, he gains more and more knowledge. In a similar way Laius tried to manipulate fate by having Oedipus¡s feet pierced and ankled together and sending a messenger to leave him on a mountain side, Oedipus also tries to change his destiny, by leaving Corinth ¡§At this I fled away, putting the stars between me and Corinth, never to see home again.¡ In leaving Corinth, he hopes to leave behind his father and mother, thus trying to escape and killing and marrying them, but ironically it is when he on his journey from Laius that he meets Laius, his biological father and kills him. This reflects the beliefs of the ancient Greeks that changing fate was futile and fraught with danger.
             The role of fate and destiny, and the impact of the prophecy is further seen when the reward for the person who destroys the pestilence brought on by the riddling sphinx is Jocasta, Laius¡s wife and Oedipus¡s mothers, hand in marriage. Oe...