... ", the classic Greek Tragedy written by Sophocles, possesses all the ingredients necessary for a good tragedy, including a tragic flaw in the main character. The story of Oedipus is captivating indeed, but it has been debated as to whether or not Oedipus actually has an error in judgment, or is he just a victim of fate who could not avoid the tragic end that the gods ... that the position of sole ruler would require one to be suspicious of everyone, especially those closest to him who may desire the throne. This is why Oedipus suspects Creon and Teiresias of conspiring. This story is, fo...

• Word Count: 1836
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... he values the pursuit of the truth more than what the truth might reveal (Johnston). From the exchange with the blind prophet, the story begins to weave an image of Oedipus's blindness. A different man in the King's place might not have been spurred to anger when accused of being a murderer. Instead, ... who Tiresias has alleged the murderer to be, Jocasta attempts to console her husband. During their dialogue a few important details are revealed. Jocasta bids Oedipus to heed not any prophecy given by a mortal. She explains that the ministers of the oracle Delphi predicted that Laius woul...

• Word Count: 2005
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... pity, sympathy, tenderness, or sorrow. The feeling, as of sympathy or pity, so aroused(4) 9, Mithos: The elaboration of a story.(5) In the play called Oedipus The King written by Sophocles a classic Greek play writer. [Oedipus means swollen feet. The Greeks pronounced it "oy-DEEP-us". Oed- is the same root as "oedema edema" (tissue swelling; ... is not true as we all know but because of his arrogance he can't see this. Oedipus then goes on to tell Teiresias he is as nutty as peanut butter and bringing some Irony back into the story he says to the boy leading Teiresias "yes take him away ...

• Word Count: 1444
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... predictions from becoming true. Similarly, in A Prayer for Owen Meany, predestination, in the form of foreordained events, dictates the path that the story takes and how the story will end. If it was not for Owen believing in God and the things that God had shown him, it is quite possible that the ... met this violent end? Which when a sovereignty had lapsed like this, kept you from searching of it out?" (pg 5) The irony comes about when Oedipus was making fun of and rebuking the citizens of his country for not taking action, as well as reprimanding the unknown person who did this awful ...

• Word Count: 1938
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... and in the eyes of Sophocles, completely unable to defy the gods and avoid his horrible fate of patricide and incest. What makes the story tragic is not that Oedipus commits these unthinkable crimes, but that this brave, compassionate hero is striped of his dignity and confidence and transformed into an absolute wreck of ... the people, is the success he had with the riddle of the Sphinx. His powerful intellect legitimizes his position. Lear goes on to say that "(Oedipus") triumph has sprung full-grown from his own mind. But if his mind is his source of legitimacy, that inevitably puts h...

• Word Count: 1614
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... his life yet he is cursed and pushed into a life that is shaping his future filled with perversion. This is the most tragic part of the story because Oedipus's father and mother are told by an oracle that he will kill his father and marry his mother. He has no conception in his mind that he ... he curses himself and his family. Yet, sincerely he speaks to the people of Thebes about the murderer and is never aware that he is the guilty person. Oedipus is guilty, yet guiltless of the immoral acts he committed (Lynch 22). He committed parricide and incest, yet he does not have any acknowled...

• Word Count: 1512
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School