Oedipus A Tragic Hero

The difference between being a tragic character and a tragic hero depends on the role of the main character in the play. In Death of a Salesman and Oedipus, the main characters undergo a tragedy at the end of the story when they overcome a self realization. The arrogance that is seen through the storyline of these plays, allows the two characters to relate to one another. Willy, the main character in the play Death of a Salesman written by Arthur Miller is an average man in the city that lies to not only his family but also to himself about his success. Willy believes that he is much more important to his city than he truly shows. Oedipus Rex, on the other hand, the main character in Oedipus the great king written by Sophocles, is a true hero
when he is asked to take over the city of Thebes when the former king dies. He is looked upon as a great king and hero until his arrogance overtakes his actions. Willy and Oedipus both prove to have a tragic ending to their lives through arrogance however Oedipus falls from great power proving to be a tragic hero while Willy lived an entire life full of tragedy.

In death of a salesman Willy was just an average man who lived in ordinary life. Willy was a salesman to support his family however he came across failure and had to lie to his wife and borrow money to make it appear as if his business was successful. Willy lived a life full of memories, dreams, confrontations, and arguments with those whom he surrounded himself with. Willy has no impact on his county, positively or negatively. Therefore he is not well known and is not looked upon with high power as Oedipus was. Willy lived an arrogant life and does not come to realize his opportunities until later on in the play when the reader sees him planting seeds. (Insert quote) the symbolism that comes along with the planting of the seeds is towards all of the opportunities he had to grow into a better father and husband. Willy lived his life full of failure and tragedy therefore no opportunity was successful that he came upon through his life. Willys relationship with his family could be described as him forcefully trying to tie one another back together and he even failed at this. Willys life was full of dreams that were never fulfilled and lies told to his family to back him up from his failure. Willy lived a life full of tragedy that is seen through the flashbacks and opportunities wasted at the end of the play when he selfishly kills himself after realizing his failures. Willy and Oedipus both fall to tragedy and arrogance when they have a self realization about their lives.
In oedipus the great king, oedipus is seen as hero when he becomes the ruler of Thebes.
The previous king had been killed and the country was in need of a new ruler. Oedipus was a determined, free willed, and powerful man who was up for the job of taking over the country. However oedipus’ fate and destiny was dragging him down and caused him to have a tragic fall as a hero. Oedipus was known as a great ruler (insert quote about great ruler) when oedipus took over Thebes his fate and destiny destroyed his determination to rule the country. Oedipus is punishing himself for what he has unknowingly done shown through the fate throughout the play. While oedipus took up the opportunity to become the ruler of Thebes, he falls at the end of the play. Oedipus was once a hero but now is taken down by his own arrogance just as Willy was. When oedipus fell from his great power, he ended his life in a tragic way as a tragic hero. The scars on Oedipus’ feet symbolize his experience and his past. There is proof that he has gone through much difficulty in his life to become a man with so much power which was driven by determination. Willy and Oedipus both come to a tragic ending to their lives however the tragedy for oedipus was not until the end of the play when he fell from great power and was no longer looked up to by the people of
Thebes.