Oedipus Downfall

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The play “Oedipus Tyrannus,” by Sophocles, tells the story of a man whose life crumbles beneath him. In brief, Laius gets an oracle that states he would be killed by his son. Oedipus is told that Polybus is not his father and has doubts about who is parents are. He then receives an oracle that he will kill his father and wed his mother. Oedipus escapes to Thebes and defeats the Sphinx. In doing so, he is granted the right to marry the queen, Jocasta. Evidence from a shepherd and two messengers slowly reveals that Oedipus killed Laius, his father, on his way to Thebes and married his mother, Jocasta, and had two daughters. Jocasta commits suicide and Oedipus willingly blinds himself. The debatable question to be asked is based on the following issue: Is the downfall of Oedipus primarily due to circumstances beyond his control or to some flaw in his character? Certainly there are some circumstances that are beyond Oedipus’s control that resulted in his downfall. One main circumstance is the gods. Oedipus was given an oracle that stated he would kill his father and sleep with his mother. The gods gave him this oracle he didn’t ask for it. Oedipus …show more content…
On one hand, Oedipus didn’t decide what the gods had determined. Then there is the issue of fate. Fate is seen as something that is already predestined. Therefore, Oedipus’s downfall was due to issues that he had no control over. While this may be true, Oedipus did have certain flaws that caused him to do certain things. He chose to go look for answers about his parents and to escape to Thebes. He also ignored the oracle by killing an older man and marrying an older woman. As you can see, there were many contributing factors that were involved in his downfall. In conclusion, I strongly believe that certain flaws in Oedipus’s character and specific circumstances beyond his control both played a key role in Oedipus’s

Oedipus Tragic Hero

standing in a dramatic tragedy who is destined for downfall, suffering, or defeat through one of their flawed characteristics that the audience is able to connect to. Therefore by this definition, Oedipus is not a tragic hero. Oedipus is not a tragic hero for the simple fact that he has more than one characteristic that leads to his downfall. Oedipus is a perfect example of a character of high standing, because Oedipus is king of Thebes. Oedipus is a king with a higher standing than other kings…

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experiences a downfall due to a character flaw.” The characters in both Romeo and Juliet and Oedipus the King do not subscribe to this definition of a tragedy. Yes, both plays contained the downfall of the protagonists, but it was not due to a character flaw. Oedipus the King; a book that has fueled psychological theories and sparked numerous debates. One of the most iconic and controversial plays written by none other than Greek genius and playwright, Sophocles. Sophocles wrote the play about Oedipus whose…

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"A man doesn't become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall”, Aristotle once said, describing the concept of Hubris. He defines the term as excessive pride within a character, which is especially prominent in countless plays from the era of the Ancient Greeks. In Sophocles’ renowned Oedipus Rex, Oedipus fits Aristotle’s definition of a “Tragic Hero” in that his fatal flaw and evident Hubris ultimately lead to his demise. Due to the protagonist’s efforts to change his own fate and…

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besides his tragic hero that encounter a downfall. In this play, Oedipus and the people of Thebes suffer as they were victims of forces beyond their control, and Laois contributes to his own downfall. They all endure different extents of suffering based on their actions and a prophecy given by Apollo. The tragic hero Oedipus is introduced as being a well-respected character who because of a prophecy given before his birth, suffers his inevitable downfall. The prophecy given by Apollo to his parents…

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generate overly tragic stories because they become instruments of suffering for others. In Sophocles Oedipus the King our tragic hero is Oedipus as the reader watches the irony unfold around Oedipus because they know the true outcome of the play but Oedipus is oblivious to all events to come. Northrop Frye examines the many faults in Oedipus’ disposition, as it appears in the beginning of the play oedipus displays kinglike qualities putting the need of his people before his own, making his top priority…

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at different lengths for different lives. Oedipus Rex, by Sophocles, questions how human life is affected by fate and free will. Oedipus was told by the Oracle that he was to marry his mother and kill his father. Unaware that, by running from his presumed parents, he would be forever sealing his fate and prophecy. All of Oedipus decisions were intermingled with fate, whenever Oedipus would make a decision it simply aligned with his destiny. What Oedipus perceived as free will was already predetermined…

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importance, merit, or superiority. Pride can cause ignorance to other people and ultimately a catastrophic end. Oedipus rejects the idea of fate and that gods are in control of the lives of mortals. He believes that he is the all-powerful and determines his own very fate. In the story Oedipus Rex, Oedipus’s tragic downfall is due to his unwillingness to accept his fate. The pride of Oedipus begins when he invites information, no matter how damaging it might be to him. This is the first sign of extreme…

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