Oedipus the King was the story of man who was built into a character by something he had no control of. Later in Oedipus' life, as he lived out his fate, his hidden past began to unravel. As his kingdom began to fall with the rise of plague, Oedipus relentlessly looked for a cure. Soon after, shepherds came forth and informed him that in order to end the plague the murderer of Laius must be found. They also brought forth stories that matched Oedipus to the murder of Laius, his unknown father. The fact that Oedipus had murdered his father and was the sole cause to the destruction of his kingdom and lead Oedipus to feel guilty.
             The plague of Oedipus' kingdom and the death of King Laius form a symbiotic relationship, without the death of the king, plague would never have happened. Oedipus caused the pestilence in his kingdom. However, he relentlessly tried to find a cure for the plague because he didn't imagine himself as the killer of the previous king. He is seen as a hero to his people because of his effort but that all changes when he is made known of his birth parents.
             A common theme in Oedipus the King is the appearance to everyone of Oedipus' drive to better his people. He works throughout the story to find the murderer of Lauis and ultimately raise the standard of living in his kingdom. After he finds out that he is the murderer he says he is, "cursed in my birth, cursed in marriage, cursed in the lives I cut down with these hands." (96-97), this leads to his death. Overcome with guilt he pokes out his eyes and banishes himself.
             Oedipus is the tragic hero in the novel, Oedipus the King. During the story one is presented the characteristics of a tragic hero through Oedipius' actions. Apollo's prophecy and the misunderstanding between his birth and adopted parents lead him to run away from home and into his tragic mistake, the murder of Laius. Years later, after he was deemed a hero,...