Introduction
Aristotle describes a tragedy as a mimicry of a grave action as well as one that has internal magnitude.
Oedipus defines it as a form of drama that excites the emotions of fear and pity.
Such action ought to be complete and single and must present a reversal of fortunes that entails renowned persons as well as those of superior achievements.
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Like a tragic event, a catastrophic hero is defined as a personality that chooses a course of action that ultimately leads to their demise
Oedipus typifies Aristotle’s description of a tragic hero in this respect due to the catharsis he draws at the end of the play in creating the feeling that all his good is lost in the fight against evil because of his personal flaws.
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Oedipus exudes excessive pride. The opening scene illuminates Oedipus as the great king comfortable in his magnificence.
He is so concerned about the welfare of his children that he addresses them as “my children”.
He comes off as a great man with great moral responsibility and a sense of humanity (Knox, 1998).
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Oedipus is overly self-righteous because he feels like the only person burdened with the responsibility of seeking the truth.
He pursues a quest for the truth and this puts him in contravention with the status quo and sets him up for failure
He learns that some truths are not to be pursued and some hidden things would rather remain hidden (Aristotle, 1942).
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Oedipus is a tragic hero due to his moral flaws. He comes off as a person who is too confident in his comprehension and analysis of reality.
He fears to do wrong and therefore would not do anything that could drive him towards that direction because he fears embarrassment and humiliation (Nortwick, 2015).
Conclusion
Overall, as mentioned above, Oedipus is the ultimate definition of a tragic hero because of his conception of his personality, his personal flaws and his overt sense of pride.
Finally, the readers see that he leads his character to the altar of sacrifice and eventually succumbs to his own flaws and mistakes.
References
Aristotle. (1942). The Poetics of Aristotle. North Carolina: University of North Carolina.
Knox, B. (1998). Oedipus at Thebes: Sophocles' Tragic Hero and His Time. New York: Yale University Press.
Nortwick, T. V. (2015). Late Sophocles. Michigan: University of Michigan Press.
