Oedipus__a_Tragic_Hero

David Fuentes 1/27/2011 English 102 Oedipus: A Tragic Hero In the beginning of Oedipus the King, Oedipus is portrayed as a noble and very compassionate king. That alone and a whole sequence of lines listed in the play throughout the story give enough evidence to conclude that Oedipus is the tragic hero of a Greek Tragedy. He is quick to come out and receive the priests that showed up at his altar and says: “Why here and kneeling, what preys upon you so' Some sudden fear' Some strong desire' You can trust me; I am ready to help, I’ll do anything” (1423). Oedipus has the fate of his community in his hands because of his noble character and the priests make sure they get that across to him by saying: “You cannot equal the gods but we do rate you first of men” (1424). Sophocles is making sure he introduces Oedipus as a great man which is key to defining the play as a Greek tragedy. The protagonist of a Greek tragedy is someone regarded as extraordinary rather than typical (1419). In this case that definition already applies to Oedipus as soon as he is introduced. The characters in Greek tragedy are usually aristocrats which makes his or her fall more terrifying. This also applies to Oedipus because he is born of the King and Queen of Thebes. However, Oedipus believes his parents are the King and Queen of Corinth. Oedipus was abandoned as a baby and adopted by them. Because that information is only known by us and not by Oedipus before the start of the play, it is a perfect example of tragic irony because when he declares that he will find the murderer of the king of Thebes he is the man he is looking for. Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero consists of an internal tragic flaw, such as an excess of pride, ambition, passion, or some other character trait that leads directly to disaster (1420). Oedipus qualifies under this definition for a tragic hero in a Greek tragedy because he has a character flaw that brings his disaster. Even though it cannot be directly pointed, out there is evidence that his flaw may be ignorance or blindness to his own fate. This ignorance shows a pride that is revealed throughout the play. Oedipus is too content with himself and his life to see his forthcoming end. He challenges his own fate when he leaves Corinth to avoid killing his father and marrying his mother like it was predicted (1422). He thinks running away will stop his role in things to come. The decision of leaving Corinth can only be accredited to his blind faith in himself. Oedipus refuses to believe Tiresias because he is a blind man, and he tells him: ”You’ve lost your power, stone-blind, stone-deaf--senses, eyes blind as stone!” (1433). However Tiresias not only foretells Oedipus’ fate but also predicts his physical blindness when he tells him: ”I pity you, flinging at me the very insults each man here will fling at you so soon” (1433). Although Oedipus is told time and time again, his blindness keeps him from seeing the whole truth and allows him to live a contented life as king. The revelation in the play comes shortly after Oedipus’ wife tells him: "The heralds no sooner reported Laius dead than you appeared and they hailed you king of Thebes“ (1442). He then realizes what has happened and says: “I think I’ve just called down a dreadful curse upon myself--I simply didn’t know” (1443). At this point Oedipus somewhat believes he was probably not able to override his fate, but he is not sure. The reversal in this play comes after Oedipus puts all the pieces together. The messenger who comes to tell him about Polybus’ death is surprised to find out that this news brings Oedipus relief. This relief does not last long because the messenger proceeds to recount the actual facts: “Polybus was nothing to you, that’s why, not in blood“ (1450). However he makes Oedipus wonder and worry to the point of wanting to ask the messenger some questions, but Jocasta is already aware of the truth and asks Oedipus to not dig deeper, saying, “Stop-in the name of god, if you love your own life, call off this search! My suffering is enough ... may you never fathom who you are” (1451). From that point on is when it all goes down the drain and the epic downfall of the noble and passionate king begins. Suddenly his image to the people changes and they feel pity for him and Oedipus is ashamed. His wife cannot believe what has happened, so she hangs herself, and whenever Oedipus finds out about it, he stabs his eyes and becomes blind just like Tiresias said would happen. He is later exiled from Thebes, and he is no longer the character that the audience admires. If Oedipus had acknowledged Apollo’s power when he first learned about his fate would he then have been able to change it' The answer is unknown. However Oedipus did defeat Apollo in some ways. Because he was able to out run his fate until after he had lived a full and successful life. And only then when the city was being destroyed he resign himself knowing that he could not allow the people to suffer for his deeds. He also punished himself by taking away his own ability to see things. However Oedipus is still that character that ends up being a tragic hero regardless of what he does to keep the bad things from happening.