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 “good man who suffers from a tragic flaw”. Oedipus’ tragic flaw is his arrogance and his belief that he can control his own fate.
This leads to his downfall, as he is unable to escape his fate even when he knows what it is. Oedipus Rex is still considered one of the best examples of a tragedy today, and Oedipus is still considered one of the most famous tragic heroes. Sophocles’ play has been studied and analyzed by scholars for centuries, and it is still enjoyed by audiences today. Oedipus Rex is a timeless classic that is sure to continue to be performed and studied for many years to come.
So how is Oedipus a tragic hero? He meets all of the requirements set forth by Aristotle, including having a tragic flaw that leads to his downfall. Oedipus is also considered a good man, as he is trying to do what is best for his people. And finally, he suffers greatly from his fate, which ultimately leads to his death.
Oedipus is a classic example of what makes a tragic hero, and how it can be applied to more than just Greek tragedies. Sophocles’ play has withstood the test of time for thousands of years, and Oedipus Rex continues to be performed today. It shows how timeless an Aristotelian tragedy is, which provides further proof that Oedipus fits into this category. Because Oedipus meets all of Aristotle’s requirements for a tragic hero, he is correctly classified as one by modern standards.
Oedipus Rex was written by Sophocles. Aristotle would not be born for hundreds of years, so his definition of a tragic hero does not apply to how Oedipus is classified. People have been studying Oedipus Rex for centuries, however, and it has continued to be performed into the modern day. The fact that this tragedy meets all of Aristotle’s requirements shows how timeless it truly is, meaning many more people will continue to study Oedipus Rex for generations to come.
As stated in the introduction, Oedipus is still studied today because he fits perfectly into Aristotle’s definition of what makes a tragic hero. He had a tragic flaw that led directly to his downfall, and he is considered a good man who tried to do what was best for his people.
Sophocles’ play has stood the test of time, and it continues to be studied by actors, directors, scholars, and audiences across the world because it meets all of Aristotle’s requirements for how to classify somebody as a tragic hero. Oedipus Rex is still one of the most popular tragedies in existence today, which makes Oedipus one of the most famous tragic heroes in history.
Oedipus’ doomed fate is presented very early on in the play when Teiresias warns him that Laius’ killer will marry his mother then kill his father late in life. When Creon informs Oedipus of Laius’ death, Oedipus becomes worried and interrogates the people of Thebes about the murder. He soon learns that he himself killed Laius and marries his mother in ignorance. Upon realizing the truth, Oedipus blinds himself and goes into exile.
Oedipus Rex is still considered one of the best examples of a tragedy today, and Oedipus is still considered one of the most famous tragic heroes. Sophocles’ play has been studied and analyzed by scholars for centuries, and it is still enjoyed by audiences today. Oedipus Rex is a timeless classic that is sure to continue to be performed and studied for many years to come.
