There have been many tragedies over the course of human history, some more memorable than others have. Two such tragedies are Oedipus the King and Antigone, both written by the famous playwright, Sophocles. What makes these two plays so renowned is that they are classic tragedies, furthermore, they follow a certain criteria that allow them to be tragedies. More importantly, Oedipus the King and Antigone follow Aristotle’s Poetics criteria for a tragedy.
Firstly, these two tragedies, Oedipus the King and Antigone, follow Aristotle’s criteria with the plot being the first principle. This means that both Oedipus the King and Antigone have and incentive moment, climax, and a resolution; in other words, if a play does not have all three of these elements it would not be considered a tragedy according to Aristotle. In Oedipus the King the incentive moment begins when Creon comes back from Delphi and says to Oedipus, “Then I will tell you what Apollo said- And it was very clear. There is pollution Here in out midst, long-standing This must we Expel, nor let it grow past remedy.” (51; 95-98) This is the beginning of the incentive moment because it starts the plot of the play, it also explains why there is a

Complex plot is another criteria in Aristotle’s Poetics. Complex plot is achieved by having reversal of expectations and also having self-discovery in a tragedy. Oedipus the King has both criteria's to have this type of plot. The reversal of expectations and self-discovery happen simultaneously at the end of Oedipus the King. With reversal of expectations, Oedipus seeks vengeance on the murderer to protect himself when he says, “And I will join you In seeking vengeance on behalf of Thebes And Phoebus too; indeed I must: of I Remove this taint, it is not for a stranger, But for myself” the man who murdered him Might make the same attempt on me; and so Avenging him , I shall protect myself.” (53; 133-141) However, later on in the play, due to reversal of expectations, Oedipus realizes, “O God! Did I, then, in my ignorance, Proclaim that awful curse against myself?” (73; 745-746) After gaining knowledge of his birth, Oedipus finds self-discovery when he says, “Ah God! Ah God! This is the truth, at last! O Sun, let me behold thee this once more, I who am proved accursed in my conception, And in my marriage, and in him I slew!” (89; 1182-1185) Oedipus finally found the truth, though he will par for it the rest of his life.

This is a Greek tragedy according to Aristotle’s Poetics. In order to have a good tragedy, the play must have at least some of these elements. As for Oedipus the King and Antigone, Oedipus finally found the truth and was no longer blind to it, while Antigone dies rather than neglect her duty to her brother and to her family.

One last element in Aristotle’s Poetics is “agon”, which means a pattern of struggle in which opposed forces battled for supremacy. In Antigone, agon takes place between the stubborn Creon and Antigone, who insists on old burial customs. Creon is stubborn when it comes to the burial rites of Polyneices’ body. Creon does not listen to Teiresias when he tells Creon, “...once more you tread the razor’s edge,” (34; 995-996) signaling that something horrid will happen to Cre