Oedipus Tragic Hero or Victim of Fate - 1379 Words

In his work Nature and Elements of Tragedy, Aristotle outlined the characteristics needed in order to create a compelling tragic hero. He states that this particular character must be better than we are, a man who is superior to the average man in some way. At the same time, a tragic hero must evoke both pity and fear among the audience, causing each member to experience a feeling of catharsis, or strong emotion. According to Aristotle, the best way to achieve this effect is to accurately portray the protagonist’s imperfections, for a character that constitutes good and evil is more convincing than a character that is purely good. Lastly, a tragic hero can be characterized by his hamartia, a Greek word that can be translated as tragic†¦show more content†¦Oedipus’ unremitting pursuit of the truth instead of placing trust in the gods, finally affirms the completion of the oracle’s words. While Oedipus’ â€Å"tragic flaw,† or the belief that he could change the predetermined will of the gods, had ultimately led him to the recognition of the unavoidable power of the gods, none of the measures Oedipus took had any effect on his future state. He even proclaims I, Oedipus /damned in his birth, in his marriage damned, /damned in the blood he shed with his own hands! (Ode 3, 71-73) Here Oedipus repeats the word â€Å"damned† three times, emphasizing the fact that both his birth and marriage had already been predetermined by the gods. The word â€Å"damned† can also be translated as â€Å"doomed,† suggesting that Oedipus’ life was ill-fated from the moment he was born. However, if Oedipus truly believed this, why would he act in defiance of the gods if they were considered all-powerful and all-knowing? Perhaps if Oedipus had simply accepted their will and not attempted to avoid it in any way, he would not have had to dealt with so much additional suffering in his present state. Additionally, after b linding himself, Oedipus ponders his fate: God. God. Is there a sorrow greater? Where shall I find harbor in this world? My voice is hurled far on a dark wind. What has God done to me? (Exodos, 84-88) The phrase â€Å"What has GodShow MoreRelatedOedipus Rex : A Tragic Hero882 Words   |  4 Pagesto live out their fates. In the case of Oedipus Rex, fate drove him into a downfall. Oedipus Rex is a part of the great Sophoclean play, written by Sophocles. Sophocles wrote this story to exemplify a tragic hero, he uses specific character flaws to explain the downfall of his hero. Oedipus is a perfect tragic hero because his early life forces the audience to admire as a privilege young man and also pity him as he falls into a crushing downfall towards the end. Oedipus’s tragic flaws are pride, persistenceRead MoreOedipus the King: A Greek Tragic Hero Essay516 Words   |  3 Pagesanalysis of the â€Å"tragic hero† of Greek drama. In his work, Poetics, he defines a tragic hero as â€Å"...The man who on the one hand is not pre-eminent in virtue and justice, and yet on the other hand does not fall into misfortune through vice or depravity, but falls because of some mista ke; one among the number of the highly renowned and prosperous.† Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero is clearly shown by the main character in the Greek tragedy Oedipus the King by Sophocles. Oedipus, the protagonistRead MoreTragic Flaws Of Oedipus Rex950 Words   |  4 Pages Tragic Flaws of Oedipus Rex The ancient Greek’s culture was greatly influence by their belief in in many gods. They believed that the gods would guide them and that everyone was destined to live out their fates. In the case of Oedipus Rex Fate drove him into a downfall. Oedipus Rex is a part of the great Sophoclean play, written by Sophocles. Sophocles’ write this story to portray a tragic hero, using character flaws to explain his downfall. Oedipus is a perfect tragic hero because his whirlwindRead MoreOedipus Rex : A Tragic Hero945 Words   |  4 Pagesout their fates. In the case of Oedipus Rex Fate drove him into a downfall. Oedipus Rex is a part of the great Sophoclean play, written by Sophocles. Sophocles’ write this story to portray a tragic hero, using character flaws to explain his downfall. Oedipus is a perfect tragic hero because his whirlwind of a life force the audience to admire him in the beginning of the story as a privilege young man and also pity him a he falls into a c rushing downfall. Sophocles intentionally gave Oedipus certainRead MoreOedipus Rex : The Tragic Hero735 Words   |  3 Pagesa tragedy a hero must possess a tragic flaw that leads to his or her ruin. An example that backs up this argument is Sophocles’s tragedian play, Oedipus Rex, in which its protagonist was a victim of such fatal flaws that caused ruination in his life. In this case, Oedipus tragic flaws were both his anger and his pride. Furthermore, the fate that Oedipus suffered because of such flaws not only caused his downfall, but also the death of those he cherished. The tragic flaws that Oedipus possessed madeRead MoreOedipus the King: A Tragic Hero Essay example694 Words   |  3 Pageslife and remember that life without pain. For Oedipus Rex, looking back is impossible to do without pain, a pain that stems from his prideful life. Oedipus is aware that he alone is responsible for his actions. He freely chooses to pursue and eventually accept his own lifes destru ction. Although fate victimizes Oedipus, he is a tragic figure since his own heroic qualities, his loyalty to Thebes, and his undying quest for the truth ruin him. Oedipus’ pride, drawn from his own heroic qualitiesRead MoreThe Tragic Hero Of Oedipus The King1528 Words   |  7 Pagesdescribes the tragic hero as having three components which should be present in order to influence the audience. The audience must become involved emotionally with the hero so they become fearful for his welfare or well-being. The concluding suffering of the hero draws pity from the audience. Aristotle describes this emotional transition as â€Å"catharsis† which refers to the purging or releasing of emotions. This is what Aristotle believes entices audiences to watch tragedies. The hero must also beRead More tragoed The Tragic Figure of Oedipus the King (Oedipus Rex)923 Words   |  4 PagesThe Tragic Figure of Oedipus Rex  Ã‚     Ã‚   Sophocles is perhaps one of the greatest tragedians ever. Sophocles said that a man should never consider himself fortunate unless he can look back on his life and remember that life without pain. For Oedipus Rex, looking back is impossible to do without pain. This pain stems from his prideful life. Oedipus is aware that he alone is responsible for his actions. Oedipus freely chooses to pursue and accept his own lifes destruction. Even though fate victimizesRead More Discuss the ways in which the character of Oedipus in Oedipus the King1192 Words   |  5 PagesDiscuss the ways in which the character of Oedipus in Oedipus the King conforms to the conventions of the tragic hero. In your discussion refer to how the issues explored in the play have a wider significance than the tragedy of Oedipus as an individual. Assessment 9: Short Essay – Drama Discuss the ways in which the character of Oedipus in Oedipus the King conforms to the conventions of the tragic hero. In your discussion refer to how the issues explored in the play have a wider significance Read More The Pride of Oedipus the King Essay1346 Words   |  6 PagesPride of Oedipus the King Oedipus the King is perhaps one of the most famous and influential of Sophocles plays. It is a tragic play which focuses on the discovery by Oedipus that he has killed his father and married his mother. On the surface of this drama there is, without a doubt, a tone of disillusionment. Throughout the play we find that Oedipus, the protagonist of this Greek tragedy, is tested by life in a number of ways. To those in Athens who watched the performance of Oedipus the King