" Raged with fury, Oedipus makes it his main priority to prevent the curse from happening. He goes through a series of unfortunate events that ultimately prove that he is, in fact, the tragic hero in the play. .
Oedipus was determined to find out what happened to Lauis. He also wanted to find out if Teiresias' prophecy was true. As a result, he transformed from a rational and well respected figure, to an impulsive and arrogant person. At first he states, "Here I am myself you all know me, the world knows my fame, I am Oedipus" (7–9). This shows his confidence and self-pride because the people of Thebes look up to him as a great ruler. When Oedipus told the story about when he killed travelers who threatened to push him off the road, the audience saw that Oedipus has the capacity to behave recklessly. Furthermore, he interrogates Creon, called for Tiresias, and threatened to banish both of them. This shows that Oedipus is growing impatient. Destined to find more information, he calls for the servant who escaped the attack on Lauis, so that hopefully he'll clarify the previous king's sudden death. Then, he demands that the shepherd who brought him to Corinth explain who his real parents are. When he learns the he in fact married his mother, and killed his father, Lauis, Oedipus rushed into the palace to stab out his own eyes after he saw that his wife/mother hung herself, and then demand to be exiled. Oedipus was in constant competition with his fate. Although he made many attempts to change it, it went well beyond his reach, arousing pity and fear from the audience as they await his epic downfall as the tragic hero. His determination forced his death, because if he never made an attempt to change his fate, Oedipus would have never known that he married his mother and had children with her as well.
Even though it is established that because of his character and his actions Oedipus is a tragic hero destined to his eventual downfall, there are different interpretations as to why Oedipus fits into this theme.
