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Name
Instructor
English 1213
March 30, 2004
Oedipus Rex
Sophocles’ tragedy Oedipus Rex is a tragedy about the relationship between free will and fate. Aristotle is quoted as saying “The best tragic plot, moves the hero from prosperity to misfortune, occasioned not by depravity, but by some great mistake he makes (Aristotle’s Tragic Hero) ”. Oedipus Rex is either destroyed by the gods or by fate, as he fulfills the horrible prophecy to murder his father and marry his mother. There does not seem to be a tragic flaw that brings about his downfall. ... Even with this play being a dramatic irony, Oedipus shows that he has freewill and becomes a tragic hero. ... As the play opens, the city of Thebes, of which Oedipus is king, is being ravaged by a horrible plague. ... Oedipus talks to his people and expresses his deep desire to achieve a resolution to the hard times that have stricken them
“Poor children! ... / Each of you suffers in himself alone / His anguish, not another’s; but my spirit; Groans for the city, for myself, for you” (Oedipus Rex. ...
This is Oedipus asking for an end to the plague for his people. This desire to help his people comes at the beginning of the play to establish Oedipus’ character as essentially good, and to stand in stark contrast to the horrifying truths that are later revealed about him.
Oedipus’ tragic flaw is his pride and his wrath. ... Oedipus is sure that he and he alone can solve the woes of Thebes, and discover the murderer.
Approximate Word count = 1201
Approximate Pages = 4.8
(250 words per page double spaced)
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