Sophocles' play Oedipus Rex allows the audience to experience pity and terror by the story of the hero brought low by a power greater than himself. This catharsis brings the viewers a sympathetic understanding of life in all its complexity. The play is very powerful because it brings pleasure to the audience by using dramatic irony, Aristotle's definition of a tragic hero and the audience's previous knowledge of the myth, which in return allows the audience to identify and feel sympathy for the hero.
Dramatic irony is a literary technique where the characters have an inaccurate understanding of the facts. The audience is familiar with the myth of Oedipus Rex, therefore they know more than the characters, causing the audience to become emotionally invested because of their prior knowledge. Dramatic irony is used throughout the whole play when characters have inaccurate or incomplete knowledge of their situation and their own words. For example, when Oedipus says in the first scene, "I take the sons part, just as though I were his son, to press the fight for him and see it won!" (Sophocles,715), Oedipus is ironically taking the position of a son when we as the audience know he biologically is Laios' son. We realize Oedipus is damning himself when he declares punishment on he who has murdered King Laios. Oedipus doesn't know it but we do and that's the hook of the drama, to keep the audience feeling terror and pity for the hero. The irony is what makes this play powerful because of the viewers knowledge; they can connect with Oedipus and understand he has been cursed from birth.
Another part of the drama that makes it powerful is the notion of the tragic hero. The tragic hero should neither be better or worse morally than normal people, in order to allow the audience to identify with them. This introduces pity, which makes this tragedy so powerful. If the hero was perfect we would be outraged with their fate or not care especially because of their ideological superiority.
"Oedipus Rex" is a classic Greek tragedy. ... Oedipus Rex is not only the protagonist of this story, but he is also the tragic hero. ... King Oedipus fulfills all of these requirements, yet is considered a tragic hero. ... However, "Oedipus Rex" is a tragedy. ... "Oedipus Rex" is a play of destiny. ...
Oedipus Rex is Greek tragedy written by Sophocles. The main character, Oedipus Rex, is a man who is trying to escape destiny. In spite of his efforts he walks right into it and becomes an ideal tragic hero with all the trimmings. ... To become a tragic hero one must be high born. ... Oedipus Rex is a perfect example of the tragic hero. ...
The Greek drama Oedipus Rex is clearly a tragedy. It definitely meets the five main criteria for a tragedy: a tragic hero of noble birth, a tragic flaw, a fall from grace, a moment of remorse, and catharsis. Oedipus Rex clearly meets the first of these five criteria. ... The tragic flaw, or mistake that a character makes, in Oedipus Rex does not actually take place during the story. ... In these five ways, the story Oedipus Rex classifies as a tragedy. ...
Set in the city of Thebes, Oedipus Rex begins with the cries and pains of citizens victimized by a plague. ... 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. ... All in all, tragic heroism is a major theme and factor in the play, Oedipus Rex, according to Aristotle's definition of tragedy. It was due to his inability to take better decisions that led Oedipus to his downfall which is as to why he is a tragic hero. In, Oedipus R...
Under inescapable fate, the moral characters of individuals are truly exposed, separating tragic heroes from tragic characters. Oedipus Rex is a tragic hero because his attempt to escape fate, an offensive mortal sin to the gods, ultimately leads to his demise. ... Oedipus is a tragic hero because he matches all of Aristotle's criteria defining a tragic hero. ... Secondly, the nature of Oedipus" tragic flaw, or hamartia, is significant. ... Prometheus, the protagonist of "Prometheus Bound" by Sophocles marks himself as a tragic hero in a significantly different manner than Oedipus. ...
In Oedipus the King, Sophocles demonstrates how Oedipus is one of the most tragic characters in all of literature while using countless examples of irony. ... Sophocles portrays Oedipus as the ultimate tragic hero using a combination of powerful and enthralling scenes. ... This prophecy made Oedipus tragic because this prophecy was inevitable. ... The conclusion of Oedipus the King is also essential in classifying Oedipus as a tragic character. ... Sophocles developed a mysteriously enchanting tragic character, Oedipus Rex. ...
Oedipus is the victim being a tragic hero in a tragic situation. ... Firstly, Oedipus" status meets that of a tragic hero. ... Secondly, Oedipus" tragic flaw causes him to be the perfect candidate for a tragic hero. ... This ignorance is Oedipus" tragic flaw, which qualifies him as being a tragic hero. ... Oedipus is a tragic hero in a tragic situation. ...
All of the tragedies, including Oedipus Rex are considered outstanding for their powerful, intricate plots and dramatic style. ... Oedipus Rex is a tragedy written by Sophocles. ... Tragic heroes such as Oedipus are grand, noble characters. ... This takes form of the hero discovering something previously unknown or something he knew but misconstrued. Such an ironic reversal occurs in Oedipus Rex when the messenger's speech unsettles rather than reassures Oedipus about who he is and what he has done. ...
Tragic Hero In the tragedy, Oedipus Rex, Sophocles presented Oedipus as a tragic hero. A tragic hero is a kind of sacrificial victim. ... Oedipus" tragic flaw led to his downfall and suffering. ... As the play progressed, a zealous desire to know the truth in its entirety proved to be Oedipus" tragic flaw. ... These flaws may begin small but they often escalate to greater problems with tragic outcomes, as did Oedipus" flaw. ...
