"In Oedipus Tyranus, Oedipus is destroyed by his own flawed character." Asses this statement.

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Henning Fotland

B00339586

Prof. O'Brien

Dec. 9th 2002

"In Oedipus Tyranus, Oedipus is destroyed by his own flawed character." Asses this statement.

To asses the accuracy of this claim, it is first necessary to view the character of Oedipus in the historical context in which Oedipus Rex was written. The prevailing political thinking in Ancient Greece was that a man was defined by his position and role within the polis. Oedipus is unquestionably a man of the people, his opening remark "Oh my children," (Soph. OT. 1) while addressing the priests and men gathered to ask his advice, indicates his authority and compassion for the suffering of his subjects.

The period in which Oedipus Tyrannus was written was also one of incredible philosophical, scientific and mathematical progress, as such, the qualities most admired by Athenian society were those of rational and logical thought. The seeds of democratic ideals were sowed through the application of these faculties in the pursuit of truth and justice.

Oedipus, the man who solved the riddle of the Sphinx, is the embodiment of all these highly valued ideals, his character is also one marked by