Oedipus

There are a number of characteristics described by Aristotle that identify a tragic hero. For example, a tragic hero must cause his own downfall; his fate is not deserved, and his punishment exceeds the crime; he also must be of noble stature and have greatness. Similar to Socrates and Crito's conversation in Socrates' jail cell Iocaste pleads with Oedipus to reconsider his decision. Reacting as Socrates did, Oedipus rejects the suggestion to forego his punishment and has nothing more to say than “I will not listen; the truth must be made known” (Sophocles 55). Oedipus's decision to pursue his questioning is wrong; his grandiosity blinded him and, therefore, his fate is not deserved, but it is far beyond his control. A prophecy is foretold to Laius, the father of Oedipus, that the destiny of Oedipus is a terrible one beyond his control. But when it is prophesized to Oedipus, he sets forth from the city of his foster parents in order to prevent this terrible fate from occurring. Oedipus's destiny is not deserved because he is being punished for his parent's actions. His birth parents seek the advice of the Delphi Oracle, who recommends that they should not have any children. When the boy is born, Laius is overcome with terror when he remembers the oracle. Oedipus is abandoned by his birth parents and is denied their love, which is what results in what Miller calls Depression as Denial of the Self.

As his punishment is realized, Oedipus understanding that his course of action has brought great shame to himself and his city, decries “lead me away from Thebes” (Sophocles 70). Oedipus understands that in order to protect the citizens and obey the laws of the city that this outcome must be realized. “This punishment that I have laid upon myself is just” (Sophocles 71) thereby maintaining the laws of the city higher than his own life. It is certain now that in the cases of Socrates and Oedipus, their loyalty to their city far surpassed that of their self-preservation or any hidden agenda. What have we learned about these two men? Socrates is dead and Oedipus is a sightless exile, yet their city-states remain strong in their determination to maintain the justice of society.

There are a number of characteristics that identify a tragic hero. Although a tragic hero causes his own downfall, his fate is usually not deserved, and his punishment is much worse than his crime. A tragic hero is usually someone of importance or power who has a tragic flaw that affects his judgement, and must then suffer the consequences. At the same time, the tragic hero arouses sympathy in the audience because their punishment is so great and could happen to anyone. All of the above characteristics make Oedipus a tragic hero and one can see how these attributes cause his fall from a mighty king to a blind outcast. In Oedipus the King, Oedipus has been a king for years after solving the riddle of the ...