The Characteristics Of A Hero In Oedipus Rex: A Tragic Hero

Tragedy; it’s inevitable. In life, everyone is bound to experience a rough time. These rough times and flaws are what test a hero and build character. Someone experiencing hard times transforms an average person and his mistakes into something remarkable and heroic. What characteristics make him a tragic hero rather than just an ordinary person? A hero is a person who is admired for courageous acts, noble qualities and outstanding achievements. Despite possessing the same qualities as an ordinary hero, a tragic hero, who is born a noble birth and usually male, has a fatal flaw that ultimately leads to his ruin. The hero 's flaws can range vastly. Tragically, however, the flaws possessed with eventually ruin his reputation and also have a tendency

In Oedipus Rex, Oedipus is new to and ruling Thebes and this is evident in the accounts of Laius’ murder. Oedipus arrived shortly after news of Laius’ murder. However, the people of Thebes had bigger, “troubles at [there] feet,” in dealing with the riddling Sphinx. (Creon I. 160). With these troubles, the people of Thebes did not care, or have time to, track down the murderer of their past king. Thus bringing the wrath of the angry Gods, due to the fact they did not put forth effort to find the murder. The gods wrath brought forth, “a blight is on the fruitful plants of the earth. A blight is on the cattle in the fields, a blight is on our women that no children are born to them,” (“Oedipus Rex” II. 26-29). Along with these retributions, the men, women, and children of Thebes were now cursed with the deadly plague that swept across their town. When Oedipus sees the individuals of Thebes struggling and pleading for him to help them he is quick to act. Demanding that if anyone knows anything regarding the murder of Laius to come forward. This shows that Oedipus doesn 't know truly anything about the murder and needs the help of the people, in order to help them, although he knows more than he