Sophocles" Oedipus is a perfect model of the human potential to achieve godlike greatness despite his tragic downfall. Before his fate is revealed, pride, impiety, and ignorance bring his own nemesis, yet because of the remarkable intelligence, courage, and leadership skills he displays in dealing with calamity Oedipus ultimately reveals how ones spirit can become godlike. Before the opening scene, Oedipus's hubris and impiety have already led him toward self-destruction. He commits both patricide and regicide on the crossroads because of his lack of respect for those in power, and because he is very prideful. He sees "the old man coming up along his wheels", but does not waver to let him by. Instead he ignorantly "kill[s] them all - every mothers son!" even despite of the oracles prophesy (621). Also, he impudently belittles the gods by claiming his intelligence alone freed the people from the sphinx "With no help from the birds" (606). By contemptuously announcing, "You pray to the gods? Let me grant your prayers," Oedipus implies he feels superlative to the Gods, which sets him up for doom (606). Because Oedipus tests his humanly powers he reaches the boundary between mankind and divine power, and it is at this point that the truth of fate brings his anagnorisis, and his hamartia is broken. Through his demonstration of superior intellect, bravery, and his unselfish sacrifice for his country Oedipus is the Greeks model for the greatness that humans can achieve. Because of his intellect Oedipus is rated "first of men" (600). He is the only one capable of solving the sphinx's riddle to free the city of Thebes (600). He is also the first to derive a solution for the plague. Claiming that he "labor[ed] over many paths of thought," he finally sends Creon to Delphi in search for cure. In discovering fate, and dealing with its truth Oedipus also illustrates profound courageousness. His passionate concern for his city proves him to be the greatest leader of any.
