Oedipus Tragic Hero

Oedipus as a Tragic Hero Essay D1
In the tragedy, Oedipus Rex, Sophocles portrays the character Oedipus as a tragic hero.
By using Aristotle's interpretation of tragedy and a tragic hero, Oedipus is rendered as a favorable illustration. Oedipus Rex written by Sophocles exemplifies Oedipus as the quintessential interpretation of a tragic hero. Oedipus is the embodiment of Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero as he depicts character traits such as hubris, tragic flaw, coming from a high social status, and suffering during his moment of recognition.
With the help of both Oedipus’ fate and freewill he was not only born in but lived in high social status. Oedipus abuses his gift of power and uses to to be arrogant towards Teiresias. While talking
with Tiresias Oedipus says, “Offspring of endless Night, thou hast no power, O'er me or any man who sees the sun” (374-375). This statements shows Oedipus’ Arrogance and egotism. Oedipus expresses his pride and envy as Choragos explains his legacy to the audience
Choragus states, “This is the King who solved the famous riddle” (1468).
Choragus’ statement showed not only Oedipus’ pride, but the envy that fills Choragos and others.
Oedipus was filled with importance as Choragos addresses him. Choragus turns to Oedipus and says “...O mighty King, we turn to you: Find us our safety…” (43-44). The choirs’ safety in Oedipus fills him with pride and importance. Oedipus’ actions and state of mind leads him to a life of high social status.
By using Oedipus’ ignorance and fate Sophocles portrays him as not entirely good nor bad.Oedipus claims respect for his citizens and addressing them about their rights. Oedipus tells his citizens, “That is your right; it will not be denied you…” (726). Through Oedipus’ respect for individuals he provides equal opportunity. Oedipus’ fate provides him with his moment of recognition. During his moment of recognition Oedipus claims "...my father’s blood, my own blood, spilled by my own hand: can you remember the unspeakable things I did there..”(1348-1350). When Oedipus realizes what he did he refers to his actions as unspeakable. Oedipus is claimed to be the pollution of the country due to corruption by Teiresias. In a moment of rage Teiresias tells Oedipus, “You, yourself (Oedipus) are the pollution to this country” (338). Oedipus, unaware of his actions, was the real reason the city was in a deep plague. Oedipus’ both good and bad actions allowed him to reach a
balance.
Oedipus’ fate and pride not only brings his downfall but his ignorance and suffering.
Oedipus’ ignorance is compared to Tiresias’ blindness. Teiresias says this ironic statement to Oedipus, “There is, but not for you. You don't have this, since you are blind in your ears and mind and eyes” (390-391). Teiresias may be blind but Oedipus’ ignorance leads for him to be at a greater disability. Oedipus is claimed to be the pollution in this country due to Laius’ murder by Teiresias. When accused of murder Oedipus states, “If I am found guilty of treason with Teiresias then sentence me to death!” (570-580). Oedipus believes he is innocent to such an extent that he assembles his own future punishment. Oedipus is haunted by his own fate and prophecy that soon paves the way for his punishment. After Oedipus realizes he killed his father he says, “This punishment that I have laid upon myself is just. If I had eyes, I do not know how I could bear the sight of my father, when I came to the house of Death, or my mother; for I have sinned against them both” (1315-1321). Due to his fulfillment of his prophecy and the murder of King Laius, Oedipus’ punishment was brought upon himself. Due to Oedipus’ prophecy he was given at birth his fate was inevitable and lead to his ignorance and
downfall.
After Oedipus’ moment of recognition he suffers greatly from his tragic flaw. Oedipus’ moment of recognition causes suffering after the Shepherd tells him. In vain Oedipus firmly states, “Ah God!...O light i look on you for the last time!” (1119-1121). After Oedipus discovers that in fact he did fulfill his prophecy he suffers greatly internally and in the future externally. Oedipus’ erroneous behavior causes him to be the plague affecting the common people. Oedipus unaware that he is the plague states, “Sick as you are, not one is as sick as I” (63). Due to the murder of King Laius not only the citizens of Thebes are suffering but Oedipus from his own unknown actions as well. Oedipus’ prophecy causes the implementation of his fate that he thought he avoided. Talking about himself Oedipus says, “Oedipus, dammed in his birth, in his marriage dammed, Dammed In the blood he shed with his own had!” (1123-1134). After Oedipus’ moment of recognition he continues by restating all of the horrible things that are connected with his name now. Oedipus’ tragic flaw causes him to suffer greatly during and after his moment of recognition.
Oedipus portrays Aristotle’s outline of a tragic when he exemplifies traits such as hubris, tragic flaw, coming from a high social status, and suffering during his moment of recognition. Sophocles greek tragedy, Oedipus Rex, emblematizes Oedipus as tragic hero. By using Aristotle's definition of a tragic hero Oedipus symbolizes it key character traits. Sophocles uses the character Oedipus in Oedipus Rex to embody a the “perfect” tragic hero.