Tragic Flaws In Oedipus Rex

Oedipus Essay There has been many stories over time that the endings are not always the best. Due to the tragic flaws the protagonist had in this play, the ending was not a decent one. In the play, “ Oedipus Rex” by Sophocles, the protagonist which is Oedipus contains some flaws that makes choose the wrong decision while trying to solve his problems. These flaws is so devastating that it gets control of Oedipus. “ He has no clear vision which enables him to examine every side of matter with unclouded eyes. Oedipus does not have a way of controlling things. He mostly lets his pride and anger which are his flaws dictate everything; this leads to miserable things. To begin with, Sophocles in Oedipus Rex, showed that the combination of flaws and human characteristics could lead to a tragic outcome. The respected king of Thebes was paranoid and short tempered, and these characteristics brought him into his demise. From the very beginning, Oedipus is seen as a noble, great man. He is worried about the plague in the city and for his people. If Oedipus had not cared for his kingdom he would have never bothered to go look Laius’s murderer.
Furthermore, one of the main reasons for Oedipus’ demise is his short temper.
Oedipus loses his temper with Tiresias, because he will not tell Oedipus the truth. After Tiresias says the truth, Oedipus’ short temper grows even more, and Oedipus taunts him for being blind. Oedipus then accuses Creon, his brother in law/ uncle, for sending Tiresias to make him think he was the murderer. After this Oedipus thinks that Creon only wants for Oedipus to die because the prophecy said that in order for the plague to go was if the killer of Laius is killed, so that Creon could take over Thebes. “ You will kill your father, you will sleep with your
mother”.
In addition, the death of Laius would have never happened if Oedipus would have not lost his temper. One day Oedipus was walking to Thebes in search of his real parents on his way a king was being carried and was poking Oedipus on his head. Oedipus go furious and killed everyone except one man that got to escape. It is silly how why just for something not that bad could make a person kill another. In my opinion this was not a reason why Oedipus would have killed the people.
Moreover, while Oedipus meets with Tiresias, he believes that Creon his brother-in- law and friend is against him. Oedipus also believes that his own countrymen are against him. Oedipus failed to believe Tiresias when he accused him for being the reason why Thebes was suffering. Oedipus gets angry at Tiresias after he protests that he is telling the truth. Oedipus does not agree to realize the connection between Tiresias’ comment and his personal knowledge of killing a man. Oedipus believes that because he saves the city such things could have never happened to him. Oedipus is full of pride and doubts all of Tiresias and Creon accusations.
Finally, all the flaws in the play all led to the downfall of Oedipus. Sophocles showed the audience of ‘Oedipus Rex” in the beginning as a respected person and a person who earned his own reputation. He later then violently pulled out the audience’s emotions pity and fear by showing Oedipus demise from greatness. Sophocles used this play to show people to learn other’s mistakes. Oedipus is a a great example because it showed how because of his tragic flaws he goes to his doom.