Oedipus Rex

            In the play Oedipus Rex, Sophocles tells the story of a young man who is taken through life by his fate. Before he was born he was destined to kill his father and marry his mother. Although he did not willingly do this, the events still took place and it is only in the end of the play that Oedipus finds out the truth about the wrongs he has done. Throughout the play Oedipus is searching for the killer of Laius, who is actually his father, and ironically it turns out that it was him all along. Oedipus is the victim being a tragic hero in a tragic situation. Oedipus meets the standards of being a tragic hero by his status and by his tragic flaw, and the standards of being in a tragic situation by his test and by the fact that in the end he suffers physical deterioration and mental enlightenment.
             Firstly, Oedipus" status meets that of a tragic hero. A tragic hero is defined as an exemplar, a paragon, and a light bearer. The tragic hero must be someone of importance, someone more important than the average character in the play. He must be above the community in some way. Oedipus passes this requirement with ease for he was a hero and held a revered position within his society. He sold the Sphinx's riddle and became the King of Thebes. He was not any ordinary king however; he was a well respected and loved king. His people admired him, respected him, and referred to him as "Great king" (p.16). They were not forced to love him, the voluntarily loved him. The Priest himself tells Oedipus: "We see you as first of men and consummate atoner to the powers above" (p.6). This shows the power and popularity that Oedipus possesses which gives him the proper status to be a tragic hero.
             Secondly, Oedipus" tragic flaw causes him to be the perfect candidate for a tragic hero. Every tragic hero must have a certain flaw, which causes his or her downfall. Oedipus" flaw is his ignorance. Because of the fact that he does not know the truth about his past, his downfall was inevitable.