Oedipus
In literature, one can see that many stories have a character that can be considered a tragic hero. A tragic hero can be defined as a courageous individual who confronts powerful forces within or outside himself using dignity. In this case, Oedipus fulfills ever aspect of a tragic hero. He is a tragic hero with a fatal flaw who suffers a reversal of fortune. This reversal of fortune ultimately destroys him. In addition, he possesses that greatness of character and relieves the people of Thebes from suffering. Finally, due to his fatal flaw, Oedipus reveals himself as a murderer, which reverses him fortune from a man that was once honored, to a man of shame or pity.
The tragic hero Oedipus did something of greatness by relieving the people of Thebes from a plague that caused suffering to all the people. He did this by answering a riddle that some found impossible to answer. By him doing this, it caused all the pain the people were going through to be removed and for the most part caused people to respect him and consider him the highest of all man, close to a God. He was also known for his wisdom and knowledge.
The problem that Oedipus encountered was caused by his tragic flaw, which some might know as Hamartia. His pride and temper, as well as mistakes based on events outside of his control are what caused this reversal of fortune for Oedipus. After the city is struck with a second plague, Oedipus pride and temper is revealed to the people of Thebes. The only way for the second plague to be stopped is for the murderer of the former king Laius to be found and punished. At this time a prophet named Tiresias is called upon to help the situation. However, Tiresias does not want to reveal the person who killed Laius because it will not help Oedipus, but it would hurt him. This is when Oedipus lets his temper get the best of him and he begins to accuse Tiresias of conspiring with others to overthrow Oedipus. Tiresias warns Oedipus to leave the truth unknown for his own good to avoid his own destruction. Oedipus is hot tempered and persistent and refuses to leave it alone. This is the time when it is finally revealed that Oedipus is the murderer and the main cause of the suffering for the people of Thebes. The news was very shocking to Oedipus and his people. Little did he know that a man that he killed years before was the king of Thebes as well as his father, and his wife was really his mother. This proved the prophet that caused Oedipus to be abandoned as a baby correct, he killed his father and married his mother.
Oedipus suffers his reversal of fortune due to the news that is revealed. Some might say he doomed himself. He goes from being respected and loved, to the opposite. As punishment for his actions, Oedipus decided to blind himself and exile himself from his people. He chose not to kill himself because he felt as if he deserved to suffer for his actions and his suicide would not cause any suffering, just a quick way out of the situation.
The people of Thebes are now confused and dont know what to believe of the man Oedipus. They ask themselves how a man of such high standards could ultimately fall so low. Pity is then felt for Oedipus by his people because he found a way to save all his people of Thebes from suffering, but he couldnt save himself. It was ultimately his persistence and temper that got him where he is now. If he had not forced the information out of Tiresias, he would still be a well respected king and he would still have his pride.
In conclusion, Oedipus Rex demonstrates how his inner forces such as his pride and temper collided with outer forces to cause his demise. He shows the true characteristics of a tragic hero through his fatal flaw, and his reversal of fortune which arouses fear and pity
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