The Tragic Hero Oedipus

by sangalli96 (student)

International Baccalaureate World Literature

By Sophia Sangalli

A tragic hero can be defined as “a privileged, exalted character of high repute, who by virtue of a tragic flaw and fate suffers a fall from glory.” Oedipus is the tragic hero in Sophocles’ Theban play known as Oedipus Rex. Each of the traits that define the being of a tragic hero must be embodied by Oedipus in order for him to truly be a tragic hero. Nobility, hamartia and fate are concepts related to all terms described in the definition and this essay will explore how each aid in the development of Oedipus Rex as a tragic hero.

A tragic hero must be privileged, with a high status. It is evident that Oedipus is very high within the social hierarchy and privileged as the setting in which he lives is quite extravagant and characters within the play treat him with respect. As soon as the play begins, you are met by the setting of “the King’s palace, upon steps and around altars.” This extravagant setting you are immediately plunged into already begins to develop Oedipus as a tragic hero. The priests also immediately address him as “my lord and king,” suggesting nobility which is completely related to being privileged as nobility is the highest you could be within the human social hierarchy in Ancient Greece. Through dialogue and the setting, the traits of being a tragic hero (being exalted and of high repute) have already begun to develop Oedipus as a tragic hero.

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Although he is exalted and of high repute, a tragic hero must have a tragic flaw or a terrible fate that causes his downfall. Oedipus is not aware of his fatal flaw although the audience is the whole time. Oedipus has a terrible fate that will be his downfall and that is known, but what also aids his downfall or hamartia is his pride or hubris. He calls a soothsayer to help him catch a murderer but the soothsayer refuses to give any information as it would cause great grief. Oedipus is offended by the soothsayers disobedience and his pride persuades him to pursue the truth and be obeyed. Oedipus even threatens the soothsayer at a point; “You show yourself no friend to Thebes, Whose son you are if you refuse to answer.” His pride is also shown when he states “And why should I repent?” after he has knowingly done wrong by slandering Creon’s good name. This again is developing Oedipus as a tragic hero as he now fits the definition even more, with a flaw and terrible fate.

Oedipus then suffers a great fall from grace, once again meeting the criteria of a tragic hero. He discovers he has wed his mother, killed his father and fallen a helpless victim to fate. “O God, what wilt thou do to me?” Oedipus cried when he learnt his most dreadful fate and was freed from his cage of ignorance. Oedipus then condemns himself and falls completely, again showing the traits of a tragic hero. This is trait has completed his development as a tragic hero.

Despite all variables being against the predicted fate, it still succeeded. People were ignorant to the fate such as Oedipus, others tried to fight against it such as Laius and some who even were aware, still chose to ignore fate such as Jocasta. No matter what path was taken, they were each devastated by fate although each exercised their own free will on how to deal with it. This shows that fate does not deprive us of free will, but free will rewards or cripples us with fate. Oedipus was condemned to the fate of a tragic hero, no matter what he did.