Oedipus Tragic Hero Essay

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When reading a Greek play, there is almost always a tragic hero. If there is a tragic hero, then he has a tragic flaw. His flaw could be arrogance, ignorance, or even being too ambitious. Aristotle has even names Oedipus as the ideal tragic hero because of his actions. In Oedipus the King, Oedipus shows the five characteristics that every tragic hero possesses. According to Aristotle, the first characteristic that all tragic heroes have is that they come from a royal family. Oedipus has been next in line for king since he was born. First, he was born into royalty because of Jocasta and Laius. Jocasta demanded that Oedipus be taken away when he was just a newborn, and he was left to die, but he was taken in by Polybus and Merope. Laius and Jocasta were the king and queen of Thebes, while Polybus and Merope were king and queen of Corinth. Even if he was never left to die and grew up in Thebes, he would of still became king. Just like, if he never left Corinth, Oedipus would have became king after his father. Oedipus’ fortune was one that he couldn’t escape even when he tried to. His fortune was that he would kill his father and marry his mother. He tried to avoid …show more content…
“For, had I sight, I know not with what eyes I could have met my father in the shades, or my poor mother, since against them both I sinned, a sin no gallows could atone,” (1360). Although, Oedipus lost his eyes and was left to die, he will die knowing the truth about his past. He is now more aware as a blind man, then when he could physically see. Throughout Oedipus the King, we are able to see how Oedipus is a perfect example of a tragic hero. He has the five characteristic that the ideal tragic hero possesses. He comes from a family of royalty, he is ignorant which leads him to commit a crime, the crime was his full responsibility, the punishment was extremely harsh, and he gains

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