Oedipus The King

The drama of Oedipus the King can be considered a tragedy due to the fact that it fulfills Aristotle’s three elements of tragedy. Aristotle defines a tragedy by having, “the different kinds [of enhancement] occurring in separate sections, in dramatic, not narrative form, effecting through pity and fear the catharsis of such emotions”(Russell). The first of Aristotle’s three elements of tragedy is peripeteia, which is “when the course of events takes a turn to the opposite”(Russell). Peripeteia occurs in Oedipus the King when Jocasta insists Oedipus talk to a messenger from Corinth to prove that the prophecies are false. Although the messenger comes to confirm that the prophecies are false, he brings new information to light, which only confirms the prophecies more. First the messenger reveals that Polybus was not Oedipus’ true father, “Polybus was nothing to you, that’s why, not in blood… You were a gift, years ago-know for a fact he took you from my hands” (Sophocles 218). Although Oedipus had once heard a rumor that Polybus was not his real …show more content…
Once the shepherd starts revealing the story of Oedipus, Jocasta realized the truth and kills herself, which leads to Oedipus’ demise. Oedipus’ destiny had been revealed throughout the tragedy with the constant reoccurrence of words such as sight, eyes and see. Oedipus blinds himself in a dramatic manner, “he rips off her brooches, the long gold pins holding her robes-and lifting them high, looking straight up into the points, he digs them down the sockets of his eyes” (Sophocles 237). Oedipus also feels the pain of being separated from his daughters although he demands Creon take him away, “Then take me away. It’s time…No-don’t take them away from me, not now!” (Sophocles 250). Through these actions, Oedipus’ had destructed his former life and his siblings/children will reap the consequences of his