Many Greek tragedies include a central character who is a tragic hero. The hero strives for perfection, but the gods punish him. Oedipus, the main character of Sophocles' play Oedipus Rex, is a tragic hero. Sophocles' characterization of Oedipus suggests that he is a tragic hero according to Aristotle's conception as enunciated in The Poetics.
According to Aristotle, a tragic hero has a supreme pride, a reflection of condescension and conceit that suggests superiority to man and equality with the gods. Oedipus says, "I have come myself to hear you- I, Oedipus, who bear the famous name," bragging of his fame, revealing his sense of self-importance Oedipus has a self-centered, arrogant attitude toward life. "Is this your prayer? It may be answered. Come, listen to me and you shall have relief from all these evils," Oedipus states implying that he is above other men and others should treat him as a god. Oedipus again reveals his concept of being divine pronouncing, "When that hellcat the Sphinx was performing her, what help were you to these people? Her magic was not for the first man who came along: It demanded a real exorcist. Your birds- what good were they? Or the gods for the matter of that? But I came by, Oedipus the simple man, who knows nothing- I thought it out for myself, no birds helped me!" Sophocles characterizes Oedipus as a egotistical, arrogant person through his own words. .
Oedipus is a classic example of Aristotle's tragic hero. Sophocles characterizes Oedipus through his actions and his words. He displays a supreme pride through his dialogue in the play, and his actions protest the gods' definitive power.
