... is blind to the truth; and when he finally does come to see the truth, ironically, he blinds himself. The first and final - and most tragic and triumphant - irony, however, lies in the implicit acknowledgment that the very quality of Hubris (Oedipus' arrogance in defying cosmic and priestly authority, fate ... ) is the same quality that enabled him to earlier confront and defeat the Sphinx and to save an oppressed city. Oedipus, then, is a hero who pits his pride against both gods and fate in the mold of Prometheus (whose downfall was caused by his sharing the gift of fire with ... the ...

• Word Count: 2522
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: High School