Due to the character’s narcissist attitude, it causes him a different fate. This fate gives him a hunger for the truth overshadows that his grandiosity. He ends up finding out more truth than he expected. Because of his excessive pride and self-righteousness, we see how he manipulates the audience to feel sorry for him yet, the audience already knows the wrong Oedipus has done. They know he is the murder of King Laius, even when he is adamant about finding the culprit who did this.
Fate plays a significant role in his serendipity. There can be uncontrollable forces that impact us. This is seen in the role the gods play in the prophesies of Oedipus. Can we ever escape what is meant to be, even if we choose differently in the same scenario, or will the outcome still be the same? He has it all fame, power, but loses it all to pride. By blinding himself, it is his belief if he can’t see the truth with his own eyes, he should not be able to have the gift of sight.” Light, I shall not look on you Again. I have been born where I should not be born, I have been married where I should not marry, I have killed whom I should not kill; now all is clear” (Sophocles 1144) Oedipus’ nobility and position in society are characteristics of a tragic hero. He is born of Jocasta and Laius, but the King and Queen of Corinth raised due to unforeseen circumstances. He was raised as a prince but noble by birth. He exhibits intelligence to the town of Thebes when he solves the riddle of the Sphinx. This action freed the city from its oppression. He is rewarded with the throne of Thebes and the Queen’s hand in marriage.
Aristotle’s criteria is also that the hero is not perfect, ordinary people could identify with him, despite being noble. Notwithstanding the greatness he possesses, he still is haughty. He tends to be quick to judge, like when he thought Creon wanted the throne or when Tiresias tries to tell him the truth. He gets himself in trouble for this expeditious action. Due to his pride, he ignores them. If he only could get control of his emotions, maybe he wouldn’t have murdered Laius. This character flaw is one that identifies him as the tragic hero.
The punishment for his crimes is a little extreme for his actions, which is another way Aristotle describes a tragic hero. After his blinding, he is punished with exile from Thebes. Can he be held accountable for not knowing he killed his father and that the woman he married was actually his mother? When he realized his sin he took action upon himself. That should have been punishment itself. He had lost everything at this point.
Through all his hardship he does learn self-awareness about himself. He learns the truth about his past. The prophecies now make sense, as he has this realization of why things are the way they are in his life. Why the scars are there and when he was told that he was adopted have a clearer meaning. When the pieces are put together about his past and who he really is, this not only frees him but the city itself from its oppression.
Oedipus substantiates the label of “tragic” hero. He is endowed with superior intelligence and strength. He occupies a high position within society, as well as being of noble birth. Yet he has a multitude of tragic flaws. He is pompous, quick to make careless decisions, easily angered, and blind to the truth that it causes his ultimate demise. His punishment is too excessive for the crime, though much is not his fault. The audience feels pity for Oedipus, but not in a depressed state. He lost much, yet he also gained in the end. He acquired knowledge and understanding of wrong choices made by other people in his life. This empowered the city to regain opulence. It is through this evidence that Aristotle would give Oedipus Rex the well-deserved title of the ideal tragic hero.