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Oediups

Oedipus from the epic poem Oedipus Rex perfectly embodies the characteristics of a tragic hero as defined by Aristotle. He possesses a tragic flaw of hubris, bringing about his downfall by trying to avoid his fate. He also experiences anagnorisis, realizing he has unknowingly fulfilled the prophecy to kill his father and marry his mother. Finally, he induces catharsis in the audience as they feel pity and fear for Oedipus after he discovers the truth and Jocasta commits suicide, while Oedipus blinds himself in anguish and atonement.

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214 views2 pages

Oediups

Oedipus from the epic poem Oedipus Rex perfectly embodies the characteristics of a tragic hero as defined by Aristotle. He possesses a tragic flaw of hubris, bringing about his downfall by trying to avoid his fate. He also experiences anagnorisis, realizing he has unknowingly fulfilled the prophecy to kill his father and marry his mother. Finally, he induces catharsis in the audience as they feel pity and fear for Oedipus after he discovers the truth and Jocasta commits suicide, while Oedipus blinds himself in anguish and atonement.

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June 1

Faivre June
Gray
English 10
20 October 2013
Tragedy Complex
Oedipus from the epic poem Oedipus Rex by Sophocles embodies the role of a tragic hero
perfectly . He has all of the characteristics of a tragic hero as claimed by ancient philosopher, Aristotle.
For example, he has a tragic flaw, anagnorisis, and catharsis.
Firstly, Oedipus tragic flaw is, unsurprisingly, his own hubris. He is so prideful that in trying to
avoid his fate, he brought it upon himself. In the quote, Loxias once told me that I must sleep with my
own mother and shed paternal blood with my own hands. Thus for a long time I have kept Corinth far
from me (line 1016, pg. 45), he undermines fate by thinking he can escape it if he is aware of it but,
by staying from Corinth he actually made his prophecy come true. Also his hubris is what led him to find
out own tragic fate. When he states, Let it all burst out, if it must! As for me, though it be small, I wish to
know my stock. But she, a woman is proud of such things, she is troubled by this low birth of mine. But I
deem myself the child of Chance (line 1098 pg. 49) he is too arrogant to heed Jocastas warning and
brings their agony down upon them.
Another trait of a tragic hero would be anagnorisis which is an increase in self-knowledge. An
example of this would be when Oedipus discovers his true heritage. He declares, Alas, alas. Its all
come out so clearly. Light let me see the last of you now, surrounded by those I ought to avoid- born
from them, living with them, killing them. (line 1205 pg. 53) He becomes aware of the fact that he did
not avoid in fact his fate and has been living in it unknowingly.
Last of all is the trait, Catharsis, in which the audience feels pity and fear for Oedipus, the tragic
hero. After finding out his roots, naturally, he and Jocasta do not take it very well. In the quote, Then
inside we saw the woman hanging, all twisted up in a twisted noose.(line 1285 pg. 56) Jocastas abrupt

June 1
death shocks and invokes sadness in the reader. The readers are sympathetic to both Jocasta and Oedipus.
In another quote, At once his bloody eyeballs moistened his cheeks. In torrent together flowed the drops
of blood (line 1300 pg. 56) Oedipus wants to atone for himself so much that he does not kill himself,
but instead makes himself suffer by plunging out his eyes. This gory retribution disturbs the readers and
invokes pity upon the ill-fated Oedipus.
In conclusion, Oedipus, as a character embodies the very idea of a tragic hero just by his qualities
and destiny as a character. He has a tragic flaw, anagnorisis, and catharsis as proven in earlier paragraphs.
He curses himself in his own ignorance and denial of fate and he tremendously suffers for it, making him
a truly tragic hero.

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