Oedipus The King
             The play "Oedipus The King" is a Greek tragedy written by Sophicles in 429 B.C.E. A Greek tragedy must depict tragic actions of a hero or heroine. There are certain characteristics a tragic hero or heroine must have. He or she must be of noble birth or hold a high social position. He or she must be virtuous and desire to do good. He or she must seem better than other characters. And he or she must posses a tragic flaw that causes him or her to fail and cause tragedy to others. Oedipus is the tragic hero in this play. His tragic flaw is his overwhelming pride. Oedipus's tragic flaw leads him on a self destructive march toward the destiny he is trying to escape.
             During the course of the play Oedipus is trying to escape his destiny as told by an oracle. The oracle tells him that he will kill his biological father and marry his biological mother. Oedipus loves his parents very much and he does not want the prophecy to come true so he runs away from his home town, Corinth. Oedipus's pride causes him to thwart the gods when he runs away from Corinth. Oedipus does not know that he was adopted, and believes he is saving his parents and himself. While walking down the road Oedipus meets a carriage and a small army of five men. Oedipus does not want to backdown and let the carriage pass because he was considered a prince in Corinth. His pride takes over when one of the men bump him, and overcome by anger Oedipus kills them all. Oedipus does not know this yet but half of the prophecy just came true because he has just killed his biological father.
             Oedipus continues on his journey, and solves the riddle of the Sphinx. The people of Thebes crown him king because the Sphinx kills herself. Oedipus then weds the current queen of Thebes, Iocasta, which is his biological mother. A plague comes over the city of Thebes and Oedipus vows to do whatever it takes to save the c...