“Tragedy is an imitation not of men but of a life, an action… ” (Aristotle). Greek Tragedy was invented five hundred years Before Common Era, and focuses on the actions of characters. These actions emphasize the harsh reality in which the innocent mankind lives in. In Oedipus the King, Oedipus is defined as one with great potential, but has a hamartia leading to the ultimate demise of himself. Oedipus’ actions are tragic, as he tries to make the right choice but fails. He was dealt a hand that would only lead him to lose.
Furthermore, Sophocles develops Oedipus as a relatable character which allows for catharsis to occur. Aristotle’s, The Poetics, explains the necessary components to create a powerful Tragedy. Oedipus the King is a powerful representation of Aristotle’s ideas on tragedy, so the purpose, protagonist, fall, and plot elements in Oedipus the King demonstrate the concepts of tragedy written in The Poetics. Sophocles portrays Oedipus as a standard man with a desire for knowledge. As Oedipus quests for truth the audience sees himself/herself as Oedipus; the relationship sets up for the catharsis soon to come.
After ascending honorably to the Theban throne, Oedipus seeks the murder of Laius, ‘Who murdered Laius, son of Labdacus,/I order him to make full disclosure. /If he should fear to implicate himself/By confessing, why, nothing unpleasant will happen;/He will leave the land unharmed, and that is all” (II. 214-218). The mysterious murder of Laius is an upset in Thebes, and to please his new subjects, Oedipus seeks to answer the slaying of his predecessor. Humans fear the unknown, and the audience sees himself/ herself as questing for answers as Oedipus does.
Following Oedipus’ address to Thebes, Teiresias is ordered to speak concerning the death of Laius. Sophocles writes: Oedipus: What is it? Why have you come in so black a mood? Teiresias: Send me home. It will be easiest for each of us To bear his own burden to the end, believe me. Oedipus: A fine way to talk! You do your motherland No kindness by withholding information. (II. 308-313). Teiresias, knowing what is to come, attempts to protect Oedipus by refusing to tell Oedipus who killed Laius. The prophet understands that if Oedipus is discovered as the murderer Thebes will be in peril.
But Oedipus is persistent and forces the information to be made known to him. The audience realizes that the knowledge Teiresias has is surely not good for Oedipus’ well-being. On the contrary, the audience is also curious about the knowledge Teiresias holds. Viewers identify with Oedipus’ craving. The pity of Oedipus’ actions set the stage for catharsis. Oedipus, as the King of Thebes, seeks good but is prideful and curious to a fault. The audience sees Oedipus as a character who is human and is susceptible to hamartia.
After Oedipus expels Creon and Teiresias from his presence, Jocasta learns of the truth of the prophecy and hides it from her husband. Sophocles writes: Jocasta: Why ask what he means? Do not bother with it. This story is not worth thinking of; it is nothing. Oedipus: No, that can never be. I have the clues Here in my hand. I must find out my birth. Jocasta: No by the gods! If you care for your own safety Ask no more questions. I have suffered enough. Oedipus: Take courage. If my mother was a slave, and hers And hers before, you are still pure-born. Jocasta: Listen, please listen to me! Do not do this!
Oedipus: No-one could stop me from finding the truth. (II. 1022-1028). Jocasta knows that Oedipus killed Laius, and that her son is her spouse. She begs Oedipus to never find the truth. She understands the truth causes so much pain and grief. But Oedipus is consumed by his desire of the knowledge and continues to seek for the history of his birth. Audience members pity Oedipus a final time, as the audience pities a child wanting to know where he came from. But the audience also sees the truth and is disgusted by Oedipus. Catharsis ensues. The audience sees Oedipus as respectable until he/she understands Oedipus’ past.
Oedipus tries to escape his fateful prophecy, but it is a failure. Aristotle describes the vain attempt as the reversal. Oedipus originally leaves Corinth to prevent himself from murdering his adoptive father and lying with his adoptive mother. Viewers see the horror and purge their feelings for Oedipus. After experiencing deep catharsis, the audiend anticipates the reversal and sickens with disgust for Oedipus’ actions. With determination, Oedipus tries to protect himself and his family from the terrible prophecy the Oracle gives to him, but nonetheless Oedipus falls as he realizes the prophecy becomes reality.
Investigating with the Herdsman, who knows the horrors of the past, brings Oedipus to the conclusion, “Oh, oh, then everything has come out true. /Light, I shall not look on you again. /I have been born where I should not be born,/I have married where I should not marry,/I have killed whom I should not kill, now all is clear,” (II. 1144-1148). Finally, Oedipus recognizes his grave mistake. He is the son of his wife, and murdered his father Laius. Despite Teiresias’ and Jocasta’s warnings, Oedipus does not stop until he knows the truth. The fatal flaw of Oedipus is his prideful curiosity and crave for the power of knowledge.
Once the Herdsman tells Oedipus, Oedipus runs to his room and Sophocles writes: And there inside he saw a woman hanging, Her body swinging in a twist of rope. When he saw, a suddering cry welled up inside him; He cut the noose that held her; when she lay Cold on the ground, we saw a ghastly sight, He tore away the golden brooches from Her dress, that she had used as ornaments, And lifted them, and plunged them into his eyes. (II. 1222-1230) In absolute disbelief and sadness, Oedipus sees the horrific scene of his mother and wife hanging in the room. He realizes he is responsible for Jocasta’s suicide.
If he had not seeked after the murderer of Laius perhaps Jocasta would not have realized the horrible truth. In addition, if Oedipus had listened to either Teiresias or Jocasta he could have saved himself. Sadly, due to his decisions, Oedipus must suffer. His suffering removes his eyes that have seen such a horrible sight, and he must live with the permanent memory of his tragic mistakes. Oedipus the King, powerfully creates catharsis with the audience and Oedipus’ fatal mistake leads to his depressing downfall. I saw Oedipus with likeable motives, but his choices purged my emotions for Oedipus.
He craves knowledge until he is so disgusted that he sees Jocasta’s suicide and gouges out his own eyes. In the beginning, Oedipus was full of potential but destined to commit evil. The play spirals downwards as Oedipus learns more of his history. Oedipus the King is a moving tragedy. The play follows all concepts written in The Poetics concerning tragedy. The audience is brought to a holistic catharsis, a spiritual revelation, that will help he/she be honorable, more useful and responsible citizens. Like the sudden flip of the facedown card, the audience abruptly disregard their hope for Oedipus realizing his doomed end.
