oedipus
... Clearly, for Aristotle’s theory to work, the tragic hero must be a complex and well constructed character, as in Sophocles’ “Oedipus the King”. A careful examination of Oedipus an how he meets and exceeds the parameters of the tragic hero reveals that he legitimately deserves this title. At first sight, Oedipus is introduced to the audience as a just, compassionate, and sympathetic ruler. When the priests of his kingdom came to him, pleading for help on behalf of the people of Thebes who were suffering from death and famine, Oedipus immediately promised them that he would do his best to aid his people. Being the dramatic character that Sophocles intended him to be, Oedipus even went as far to say that “his heart bore the weight of his own and all of his people’s sorrows”. Oedipus was also a dutiful son. When he was made aware of the prophecy in Corinth, Oedipus was unwilling to stay and left his home, in ease circumstances would ever lead him to kill and marry the queen, whom he had thought as his natural parents. It was also evident in the play, that though he was human Oedipus possessed a certain godliness and superiority.