Being known as the King of Thebes that had saved the town from a killer sphinx did more than just boost his ego, it made him King. ... The second reason that Oedipus was considered of high status is because he solved the riddle of the Sphinx, saved Thebes from disaster, and claimed the throne of former King Lauis. Oedipus was the only person to come remotely close to solving the riddle of the Sphinx, therefore many looked at him as a superior being. ... Oedipus vows to seek out the killer and get sweet revenge. ... The downfall of Oedipus seems to improve with the news of his fathers death, th...

• Word Count: 783
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

In the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, Oedipus is a classic tragic hero.According to Aristotle's definition, Oedipus is a tragic hero because he is a king whose life falls apart when he finds out his life story. ... A prophecy is foretold to Laius, the father of Oedipus, that the destiny of Oedipus is a terrible one beyond his control. ... Oedipus just happens to be born a prince, and he has saved a kingdom that is rightfully his from the Sphinx. His destiny is to be of noble stature from birth, which is denied to him by his parents, but given back by the Sphinx. ... In the play Oed...

• Word Count: 1309
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

In the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, Oedipus is a classic tragic hero.According to Aristotle's definition, Oedipus is a tragic hero because he is a king whose life falls apart when he finds out his life story. ... A prophecy is foretold to Laius, the father of Oedipus, that the destiny of Oedipus is a terrible one beyond his control. ... Oedipus just happens to be born a prince, and he has saved a kingdom that is rightfully his from the Sphinx. His destiny is to be of noble stature from birth, which is denied to him by his parents, but given back by the Sphinx. ... In the play Oed...

• Word Count: 1311
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

The role of fate and destiny, and the impact of the prophecy is further seen when the reward for the person who destroys the pestilence brought on by the riddling sphinx is Jocasta, Laius's wife and Oedipus's mothers, hand in marriage. ... If Oedipus had a serious harmatia, it was his hubris. ... Oedipus's nemesis results in a cathartic effect. ... Oedipus is blessed with the gift of perception, being the only person who could "see" the answer to the Sphinx's riddle, yet ironically, he cannot see what is right before his eyes. ... He did what no other could do, destroyed t...

• Word Count: 1270
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

He sold the Sphinx's riddle and became the King of Thebes. ... Oedipus" flaw is his ignorance. ... Jocasta pleads Oedipus to end his search for knowledge, but Oedipus merely replies: " Forget it all? ... This shows Oedipus" physical deterioration. ... Oedipus is a tragic hero in a tragic situation. ...

• Word Count: 942
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

(Holt, 302) One of the most memorable tragedies is "Oedipus Rex." ... (Grade saver, Online) In Oedipus's case he is superior, not only because he is smart, but also because he is the only one who solved the Sphinx's riddle. ... Oedipus's fate is pre-determined by a prophecy. ... "Oedipus Rex" is a classic example of a tragedy. Oedipus's life was doomed from the day he was born. ...

• Word Count: 423
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

His drama, Oedipus the King – also known as Oedipus Rex, fits all Aristotle's requirements for a classic tragedy. ... His struggle raises sympathy and pity for Oedipus by the audience. ... In Oedipus Rex, the recognition occurs when Oedipus discovers his origin and his true identity by the herdsman and that is also when the peripeteia occurs. The man who saved Thebes by the Sphinx becomes the cause of the miserable plague and the destruction of Thebes. Oedipus was looking for the assassin of Laius when it is he the whole time. ...

• Word Count: 1214
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography

"Oedipus Rex," written by the great playwright, Sophocles, depicts ancient Theban, Oedipus, who attempts to escape the fate given to him by an oracle. ... He takes advantage of his position when he lashes out at Tiresias and calls him a blind fool because the man knew more about Oedipus than Oedipus himself. He attains his fame by killing the Sphinx that isolated the city of Thebes, similar to how Okonkwo is renowned for wrestling Amalinze the Cat. ... In doing so, Oedipus attempts to appease his fate rather than fight it. ... Even so, Okonkwo dies a death of acceptance, similar to Oedipus. ...

• Word Count: 1007
• Approx Pages: 4

Oedipus Rex by Sophocles is a famous Greece tragical play. ... Oedipus, the King of Thebes is highly renowned and prosperous. Oedipus had saved the city of Thebes from Sphinx and because of this, people in Thebes looked up to him. They rely on and look to Oedipus for safety in times of need. ... Again it shows the people in Thebes look to Oedipus with the utmost respect. ...

• Word Count: 569
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

One tragedy in particular is a Greek play called "Oedipus the King" by Sophecles. ... Oedipus' strength is definitely intelligence and he knows it. ... Here his mind pays off when he solves the Riddle of the Sphinx that took many lives before him. In one of his rages he says, "I stopped the Sphinx! ... "Here I am myself, you all know me, the world knows my fame: I am Oedipus." ...

• Word Count: 939
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

The two examples that are reflected on are Sophocles' Oedipus the King and E. ... Oedipus was a true tragic hero. As an audience, we gain an emotional connection to Oedipus. We respect his character because of his nobility and his intelligence shown at the Sphinx. ... Finally, Oedipus' downfall produces a great sense of pity from the audience. ...

• Word Count: 1107
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Aristotle is the first to define and use a tragic hero in the play "Oedipus Rex," translated from the Greek meaning King Oedipus (pronounced edipis). Oedipus becomes the king of Thebes by defeating a Sphinx plaguing the city. ... Oedipus" own avoidance of the prophecy is what in fact made the prophecy come true, thereby fitting the definition of a tragic hero. ...

• Word Count: 1024
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School