In the tragedy Oedipus the King, by Sophocles, the main character was Oedipus. At the beginning of the tragedy Oedipus was presented as hero who was arrogant and overly confident. The story tells how Oedipus experienced a tragedy in his life which humbled his character. .
When the kingdom was troubled by a plague, a priest came to Oedipus requesting his help. The priest referred to Oedipus as a hero when he said, "You cannot equal the gods, your children know that, bending at your altar. But we do rate you first of men, both in the common crises of our lives and face-to-face encounters with the gods" (39-43). He went on to say, "Your country calls you savior now for your zeal, your action years ago" (59-60). .
An example of Oedipus" arrogance was when the Chorus called upon the gods to save them from the plague. Oedipus seemed to believe that he was greater than any supernatural being or god when he appeared before the Chorus and told them, "You pray to the gods? Let me grant your prayers" (245).
As the tragedy unfolded, Oedipus became frustrated his search for the truth of Laius" death. Oedipus did not want to believe that he was the killer. Oedipus was in denial and let his pride get in the way of the truth. Oedipus accused Creon and Tiresias of a conspiracy to over throw the throne. "Creon the soul of trust, my loyal friend from the start steals against me so hungry to overthrow me he sets this wizard on me, this scheming quack, this fortune-teller peddling lies, eyes peeled for his own profit-seer blind in his craft" (437-442)! .
The Chorus noticed that Oedipus had let his pride get in the way. The Chorus said, "Pride breeds the tyrant violent pride, gorging, crammed to bursting with all that is overripe and rich with ruin - clawing up to the heights, headlong pride crashes down the abyss - sheer doom" (963-967)! The Chorus also predicted that a man full of pride was destined for doom.
