Oedipus the King

Oedipus the King

Introduction

In accordance with the Poetics written by Aristotle around 330 BC, tragedy is defined as a replication of an action that is commendable; complete and holds magnitude; in words made enjoyable, all of its species alienated in various parts acted upon by actors, not by means of narration; effecting in the course of pity and fear the distillation of these kinds of emotions (Jones, 1980). This strengthens and supports the preceding thought of catharsis of these incidents where the major component of tragedy is felt by way of pity and fear ensuing from a positive ending. Moreover, Aristotle highlights that the other most significant constituent to a quality tragedy is a thoroughly visualized plot. He declares that the configuration of the best tragedy must not simple but multifaceted (Jones, 1980). Thus, Sophocles' Oedipus is the perfect example of a classical tragedy hero as described by Aristotle.

Discussion

The Context

Oedipus is a classic tragedy hero in the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles. In line with Aristotle's description, Oedipus is a real tragic hero for the reason that he is a ruler whose life crumbles when he discovers the real story of his life (Harshbarger, 1979). Taking Oedipus as a perfect example, Aristotle asserts that a tragic hero ought to be an influential or important man who makes a mistake in judgment, and who then has to go through the consequences of his acts.

Those acts are witnessed when Oedipus compels Teiresias to disclose his father's name and his destiny (Harshbarger, 1979). Teiresias tries to admonish him however; he still does not bother and carries on with his inquiring as if he did not comprehend what Teiresias was holding. The tragic hero ought to learn from his mistakes in judgment and turn out to be a model to the audience of what comes about when great men descend from their supercilious political or social standings. Thus, a great person, who is well-liked and accepted far and wide, and needs this high regard and appreciation to survive, holds one of the intense forms of egotism, known as grandiosity which can be witnessed when a person is fond of himself, his traits, like talents, cleverness, and beauty, and his achievements and success greatly (Ahl, 1991). If any of these falls short, then the devastation of an extreme depression is very near. These kinds of actions take place when the Herdsman informs Oedipus about his real mother. Here, Oedipus's choice to follow his questioning is incorrect; his grandiosity turns him sightless and, thus, his fate is not justified, however it is far ahead of his control. A prediction is told to Laius, Oedipus's father, that the fate of Oedipus is a dreadful and horrifying one beyond his power. On the other hand, when it is foretold to Oedipus, he moved away from his foster parents' city with the intention to put off this dreadful fate from taking place.

The destiny of Oedipus is not deserved for the reason that he is being penalized for ...