Oedipus Tragic Hero

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A tragic hero by definition is a great or virtuous character of high 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 due to the fact that instead of being appointed, or birthed into the royal family (even though we find out that he was), Oedipus had to work to become King of Thebes by answering the Sphinx’s riddle. This part of the story doesn’t only tell us how Oedipus became king, but also that one of Oedipus’s great qualities is intelligence, or knowledge. Although Oedipus is a man of high standing, this high standing as King of Thebes is not enough to keep him from his fate of downfall and suffering. This fate, like many other greek tragedies, is …show more content…
Apollo tells Thebes that in order to get rid of the plague that is upon them, they need to find the person that killed Laius and either banish, or kill them. Once Oedipus finally realizes that he is the one that killed Laius, he accepts being banished without complaint. A tragic hero by definition is a great or virtuous character of high 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. Even though Oedipus displays most of these qualities throughout the story, Oedipus is not a tragic hero for the simple fact that he has more than one characteristic that leads to his

Oedipus As A Tragic Hero

Aristotle definition, a tragic hero is a hero of high standings who is capable of great suffering. The tragic hero must pass many excellent qualities in character, but possess one character flaw which will ultimately lead to their demise that the audience accept this downfall. Oedipus can not be considered a tragic hero. Oedipus does not meet all the qualifications that is required to become a tragic hero. Oedipus does fit the qualification of the High Standings. Oedipus figured out the Sphinx riddle…

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Oedipus; a Tragic Hero Essay

Oedipus Rex as a Tragic Hero Before the twentieth century plays were mainly written as either a tragedy or comedy. In a tragic play the tragic hero will often do something that will eventually destroy him. In the book Oedipus the King, Oedipus is the tragic hero. In this tragic play the main character, which is portrayed as Oedipus, will do a good deed that will in turn make him a hero. This hero will reach his height of pride in the story, and in the end the action, which he had committed earlier…

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Oedipus Tragic Hero Essay

“A man doesn’t become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall.” According to Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero, Oedipus could absolutely be categorized as a tragic hero, because he displayed signs of suffering, weakness, and doom. These traits also ultimately left Oedipus physically, mentally, and emotionally wounded by his experiences. The audience of this story were interested in looking at a tragic hero drown in his appalling fate. Aristotle’s theory helped solidify why the…

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Oedipus Tragic Hero Essay

A tragic hero, a literary character who makes a judgment error that inevitably leads to his or her own destruction. Many tragic heroes 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…

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Who Is Oedipus A Tragic Hero

Oedipus Essay A hero is an ordinary, everyday, run-of-the-mill person, who is willing to rise to an occasion in which a hero is vital to solve a conflict. In many works of literature, author tend to gravitate towards heroes as the main character of their works. Sophocles, the author of Oedipus Rex, focuses on Oedipus, the main character consumed by the plot which revolves around his personal conflict or a conflict in which he must attempt to solve. Oedipus is a tragic hero, a theory created by Aristotle…

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Oedipus Tragic Hero Essay

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…

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Oedipus The King: A Tragic Hero

Aristotle defined a tragic hero as a man or woman of high standing who is capable of great suffering. The tragic hero must possess many great qualities, but will display a single fatal character flaw which will bring his downfall. The audience should accept the death of the hero because of their flaw. With this being said Oedipus can be considered a tragic hero. Oedipus is of high standing because he became king of not only one town, Thebes, but two, Corinth. With king in his title it makes him…

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Essay on Oedipus and Tragic Hero

revealed that Oedipus is a member of the ruling/higher class, which fulfills one of the characteristics of a tragic hero. However, the truth behind his birth destroys him. In the scene where the Old Man is brought before Oedipus for questioning, the truth is uncovered. Long ago when Oedipus was only a child, he was sent away from his home to the Old Man because of a prophecy that Oedipus would one day kill his father and marry his mother. During the questioning, the Old Man is unaware that Oedipus is the…

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Oedipus Tragic Hero Analysis

A hero is known by many readers as a knight in shining armor or by saving the world. A hero in own words best described as, an idol or influence that one can change anything. Tragic Hero by Oedipus Tyrannus us considered one of the most understanding story that involves influence and judgment. The influence that kept Oedipus going was his wife and children. Oedipus stated that the city burns with pungent spice. Healing hyms echo the sounds of suffering (CH 2.2) Oedipus was feared by many due…

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Oedipus Tragic Hero Research Paper

The meaning of a hero as Peter S. Beagle says, “Great heroes need great sorrows and burdens, or half their greatness goes unnoticed.” All great heroes have gone through something truly tragic in their lives that inspires them to overcome any hardship; although the end is not always a joyous one. A tragic hero is a hero who's actions leads to their own demise, regardless of how hard they try to prevent it. Oedipus is a great example of a tragic hero. A few characteristics of tragic heroes are hamartia…

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