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Oedipus and Aristotle

            Oedipus fits Aristotle's definition of a tragic hero in three ways. One way that he fits the definition is the fact that misfortune was not caused by a character flaw but by a misunderstanding. A misunderstanding that overtook Oedipus" intentions to find out who killed King Laius and who his real father and mother are. Secondly, Oedipus was brought from happiness to agony and he is regarded as extraordinary rather than typical. And thirdly, Oedipus accepted all the responsibility for the cause of his downfall. .
             Oedipus had no idea that he had killed King Laius to begin with. He did not even know that Laius and Jocasta were his birth parents. Once Oedipus had become the king of Thebes he had set out to find the murderer not knowing that that person was himself. He also unknowingly married his own mother, Jocasta, as well. .
             Oedipus is regarded as an extraordinary person rather than being regarded as typical. He is named king of Thebes. He was also brought from happiness to agony. He was a king and then he ended in agony by eventually exiling himself out of his own kingdom which leads into how he took responsibility for his downfall.
             Oedipus told Creon to send him into exile because he could in no way, possibly stay the King of Thebes, let alone even live in Thebes. This action shows him taking responsibility for his downfall. This also is showing greatness of character. If this would have happened to someone else they might have just ignored it and stayed ruler of Thebes. It took a lot of strength for Oedipus to own up to everything that happened.
             Another relatively small reason that Oedipus lines up with Aristotle's definition of a tragic hero is that he had to answer the riddle to free Thebes and to even be able to enter. The completion of this task is what made him king, what made him admirable. The story of Oedipus is a very tragic story and he is a tragic hero. He is a tragic hero because he lines up with Aristotle's definition of a tragic hero.


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... to him, it should be regarded as one of the actors. Therefore, the chorus should be integrated into performance and be considered as part of the whole. In the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, Oedipus is a classic tragic hero.According to Aristotle's definition, Oedipus is a tragic hero because he is a king whose life falls apart when he finds out his life story. There ... depressive "Narcissus" can really love himself (Miller 67). All of the above characteristics make Oedipus a tragic hero according to Aristotle's ideas about tragedy, and a narcissist. Using Oedipus as an ideal model, Aris...

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3. Aristotle and Oedipus

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4. oedipus according to aristotle

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5. Oedipus vs Willy Loman

... counteract it. A tragic hero is one who evokes a feeling of pity or fear in the audience. Aristotle believed that any man of power can be a tragic hero, such as Oedipus. Oedipus was particularly tragic because he was cursed at birth. Aristotle's theory is supported by Oedipus the king because Oedipus shows that even those of high power experience fatal tragedy. Miller's theory of tragedy was the ... opposite of Aristotle's. Miller believed that any man could be a tragic hero. Miller's paradigm was Willy Loman a common ... you are or what you do, tragedy will follow you. He thinks that ...

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6. Oedipus the King - A Model Tragedy

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7. The Tragic Hero in Oedipus the King

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8. Oedipus Tyrannos

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9. Summary of Oedipus Rex

... a destructive end, eventually leading the audience to "explode" at the ultimate downfall of the hero. Based on Aristotle's interpretation of tragedy, one may conclude that the theme of tragic heroism is a recurring and essential theme in the development not only of Oedipus's character but also of the play for it is an element that makes the work of literature a tragedy. Set ... the end makes readers feel a sense of sympathy towards the character. In addition to promptly summarizing the play, Marjorie discusses Aristotle embeds his interpretations and views into what he might arguably co...

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