Aristotle, an ancient Greek philosopher, once said that “a man doesn’t become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall.” Aristotle defines tragic hero as someone who has tragic flaw that would lead to his downfall. “Oedipus The King” is a well-known greek tragedy written by Sophocles. The protagonist of the play, Oedipus, is a perfect example of an Aristotelian tragic hero because his hamartia ultimately becomes the cause of his downfall as he tries to escape from his fate and unravel the truth. Like most greek hero, Oedipus’ major hamartia is his excessive pride. After he learns from the oracle that he “was fated to couple with” his mother, and “will kill” his father, he “ran and abandoned Corinth.” (Sophocles, L 873-875, P.
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Furthermore, Oedipus often shows error of judgement. In many scenarios, he is unable to judge the situation correctly. For instance, when he encounters a man who was “about to thrust him off the road-brute force”, he “strike him in anger”, and “killed them all.” (L 889-898, P. 206) Little did he know that the man he kills is king Laius, his father by blood. He should have remembered his fate and avoided it by preventing himself from killing anyone. However, his bad temper causes him to make a rash and wrong decision to kill the man. Another time Oedipus makes an incorrect judgement is when he is having a conversation with Tiresias, the blind prophet. When Oedipus asks Tiresias who is the murderer of Laius, Tiresias tells him “the truth is …show more content…
His hubris leads Jocasta and him to know that they are mother and son by blood. Jocasta finds this truth unbearable, hence she commits suicide. Oedipus sees her “hanging, the twisted rope around her neck [...] he cried out fearfully and cut the dangling noose.” (L 1395, P.237) Thereafter, Oedipus punishes himself by blinding himself. “He tore the brooches [..] lifting them up high dashed them on his own eyeball.” (L 1402, P.237) The truth he has been searching for due to his hubris end up being the reason for his downfall. Because of the truth, Oedipus loses his wife, his mother, his reputation, his pride, and even his
Furthermore, Oedipus often shows error of judgement. In many scenarios, he is unable to judge the situation correctly. For instance, when he encounters a man who was “about to thrust him off the road-brute force”, he “strike him in anger”, and “killed them all.” (L 889-898, P. 206) Little did he know that the man he kills is king Laius, his father by blood. He should have remembered his fate and avoided it by preventing himself from killing anyone. However, his bad temper causes him to make a rash and wrong decision to kill the man. Another time Oedipus makes an incorrect judgement is when he is having a conversation with Tiresias, the blind prophet. When Oedipus asks Tiresias who is the murderer of Laius, Tiresias tells him “the truth is …show more content…
His hubris leads Jocasta and him to know that they are mother and son by blood. Jocasta finds this truth unbearable, hence she commits suicide. Oedipus sees her “hanging, the twisted rope around her neck [...] he cried out fearfully and cut the dangling noose.” (L 1395, P.237) Thereafter, Oedipus punishes himself by blinding himself. “He tore the brooches [..] lifting them up high dashed them on his own eyeball.” (L 1402, P.237) The truth he has been searching for due to his hubris end up being the reason for his downfall. Because of the truth, Oedipus loses his wife, his mother, his reputation, his pride, and even his