Tragic Heroism in Sophocles' Oedipus Cycle

Being in a position of great power, can cause one to think they are the ones in control. Oedipus and Creon in Sophocles’ plays, The Oedipus Cycle, find out that being a king is nothing in comparison to being a god. Throughout their lives of triumph that ended in misfortune, they learned great value from changing their ways and recognizing their stubborn pride. Oedipus was able to see his faults much sooner than Creon, though their fate was inevitable. A tragic hero is one who makes a judgement error that ultimately leads him/her to their own destruction while also learning from the experience. They both are deemed tragic heroes, after facing their fate, accepting the responsibilities of their actions, and recognizing the Gods are the ones in

After finding this out, Oedipus leaves Corinth and who he thought were his real parents, far in the past as he tried to escape the fate that was destined for him. As he traveled on, he came to a place on a passing where a chariot was led by horses, King Laios, and his men. Though Oedipus did not know at the time who it was, he ended up killing him and everyone else that was in the chariot when they aimed toward him.

For the law of the lands was at odds with the law of the gods. Creon was also able to realize his blinded ways, though it did not change the outcome brought on by his actions. Creon seems to battle with his prideful ways more that Oedipus saying, “… Oh it is hard to give in! But it is worse to risk everything for stubborn pride” (Sophocles, S5, pg. 234). Though it was difficult to see past his arrogance, he did all he could to fix the actions that were caused at his hands, however it still didn’t stop the will of the gods. Even after his efforts were not enough, he came to understand his losses was done at his hands for he admits, “Whatever my hands have touched has come to nothing. Fate has brought all my pride to a thought of dust” (Sophocles, Exodus, pg. 245). With both Oedipus and Creon accepting the outcomes of their actions, they both were able to change for the better and be recognized as tragic