

Oedipus Rex as a Tragic Hero

In ancient Greek times, this was to emphasize their importance and exaggerate the “fall” they would eventually experience. Although Oedipus was never aware in his childhood, to whom he was born, the fact that he is of noble birth remains inescapable. Oedipus state himself that “At home rose to be a person of some pre-eminence. ” Here he claims that his adoptive parents were the ones who contributed to his importance in society. The reader knows, however, that he was indeed born with importance.

This use of dramatic irony draws attention to his birth, to emphasize his ultimate importance. Although Tragic heroes are usually of noble or high birth, they must be characterized as people to whom the ordinary person can relate. Humans relate to flaws in character, but not to an evil person. That being said; the tragic hero cannot be perfect, as it would be a terrible moral if bad things were to happen to good people. Therefore, Oedipus is an excellent candidate for a tragic hero for this aspect of the definition.

At the beginning of the play, we see he is caring for the people of his city when he says, “And while you suffer, none suffers more than I. You have several grief, each for himself; but my heart bears the weight of my own, and yours, and all of my peoples sorrows. Am not asleep. I weep; and walk through endless ways of thought. Additionally, the audience respects greatly the king’s request to determine the truths of his birth. The citizens of Thebes are grateful of him defeating the sphinx and his desire to overcome their hardships by trying to find the killer of their late King Alias.

However, the reader may frown upon his killing of this same king, and all of his men. Furthermore, his treatment of Treaties was less than acceptable. In brief, the audience respects the overall character of Oedipus, and can relate to his flaws. These types of flaws, in tragic works, often bring about a terrible downfall for tragic heroes. In Oedipus, this hamster can be said to be his lack of self-knowledge. Although it is debatable whether or not this circumstance is actually a flaw in character, it is nevertheless the cause that brought about his downfall.

Oedipus talks of his oblivion to his past as he speaks of the curse that was told to him when he claims, “Alias said was foredoomed to make my mother my wife and kill my father, with my own hands shedding his blood. This is the reason of my long estrangement from Corinth. And I have fared well, though nothing can fill the place of absent parents. ” The audience knows that had Oedipus been aware Of who his parents were, he would not have fled from Corinth.

Emphasis is also drawn to this particular quote as we, the reader, know that one of his parents are very much present in his life – the mother that he married. Oedipus’ not knowing his true birth sparked the events that would lead to his eventual downfall. Through this flaw, a tragic hero must precipitate their own downfall and thereby gain knowledge through suffering. This component of the definition cements Oedipus as a tragic hero for had he known to whom he was born, he would not, presumably, have killed his father and married his mother.

When the truth was known, Oedipus was banished from the city for his offences. He was sentenced to live in exile and die alone. Only now, that he has suffered so greatly and experienced such misery, can he know the truth of his birth. Terrifies prophesies of this gain of knowledge through misery when he states, “No corner of Citroen school’s, to your loud crying, when you learn the truth of that sweet marriage-song that hailed you home to the fair seeming haven of your hopes – with more, more misery than you can guess, to show you what you are, and who they are that call you father. “

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