Oedipus Tragic Flaws

The classical tragedy, Oedipus the King, written by Sophocles was a play that kept readers engaged throughout the whole play. Aware that a horrendous curse has fallen on the town of Thebes, King Oedipus sends Creon to seek out answers from Apollo. Learning that the curse would be lifted if the murderer of Laius, the former king, was found Oedipus put it upon himself to find and prosecute Laius’ murderer. After talking to Teiresias, a blind prophet, it has been brought to Oedipus’ attention that he may be Laius’ murder. Jocasta, Oedipus’s wife tells him not to worry that prophets are not always accurate. For example, Jocasta tells him how she and Laius had a son who was prophesied to kill Laius and sleep with her. Oedipus realizes that he was

Many will question whether Oedipus was a tragic figure or not. Given the tragedy of Oedipus the King, Oedipus is a tragic figure because he has tragic flaws such as, hubris and hamartia.

When it comes to understanding classical tragedy writing one has to know the nature of ancient tragedy. Classical tragedy was often seen in Greek theatre. The Greeks had many gods and believed that the gods could not look inside one’s mind. Greeks also had sense of crime but not of sin. In the Greek theatre no more than three actors could be on stage at a time, no violence visible on stage, and tragedies were by far the most important plays. Tragedy can depict the downfall of a noble hero. Tragedy usually happens when the tragic figure has some sort of

Oedipus is too proud and arrogant, and presumes too much about his own understanding and his powers to control his own life. Sophocles noted his pride when he says, “Let the storm burst, my fixed resolve still holds, To learn my lineage, be it ne’er so low.

[...] Nothing can make me other than I am” (1077-1086). His pride can be seen when he solved the Sphinx’s riddle. He was praised by the people of Thebes, resulting in his marriage to Jocasta,

Queen of Thebes. Oedipus’s fate to fall was sealed by his pride and determination. His pride of conquering the Sphinx led him to the marriage of his mother. When avenging King Laius’ death, he was blinded by his pride to the concept that perhaps he was the murderer. Not knowing the truth at the time, Oedipus cursed himself to an “evil death in life of misery”. Not only was

Oedipus extremely prideful, but he had poor judgement.

King Oedipus was a tragic figure because of his hamartia or poor judgement. The main reason for Oedipus finding Laius’ murderer was to save Thebes. He does achieve this goal, but it brings disaster on himself in the process. Oedipus wrongly judges his situation. Whether