In the play Oedipus Rex, by Sophocles, Oedipus was a very great example of a tragic hero. He understood that a tragic hero should be lifelike and all should be able to relate to him in some way. “ A perfect tragedy should… imitate actions which excite pity and fear, this being the distinctive mark of tragic imitation” (qtd. in Sophocles, “Critical Excerpts” 109). Sophocles definitely provided a perfect tragedy by imitating these actions. From the very beginning when you realize that the Oracle of Delphi has told Oedipus that he will kill his father and marry his mother you start to get into the character. We all understand how upsetting this news would be and so we can relate to him. A tragic hero should in all accounts have these important qualities: goodness, superiority, a tragic flaw, and a tragic realization at the end. Sophacles demonstrated all these qualities numerous times throughout the play. In the following you will see how Sophacles brought about a very real and identifiable tragic hero.
One of the first most major aspects that shows Oedipus as a tragic hero is his goodness throughout the play. Oedipus was a good person in all the aspects of his life, and because of this everyone loved and appreciated h
Oedipus because of his insane determination at this time is beginning to ruin his own life. If he would not have insisted on knowing his origins he would have at least never know the truth behind the terrible idea of his marriage to Jocasta.
…My destiny, my dark power, what a leap you made! (Sophocles 1442-1448)
Example Essays Home
