The Fall Of King Oedipus

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The fall of King Oedipus
Oedipus in Oedipus Rex by Sophocles is a tragic hero according to Aristotle in The Poetics. Aristotle said that Sophocles “drew men as they ought to be.” Therefore, Oedipus is not the victim of fate expressed in the oracles. His tragedy results from within his character. He is a man who, driven by his uncontrolled emotions and his fatal flaw harmartia of pride hybris, causes his own destruction. The city of Thebes suffers from this also. Once Oedipus recognizes what he has done and the audience also witnesses his recognition, both Oedipus and the city undergo a reversal of fortune. The audience experiences catharsis through pity and fear.
One of the reasons for Oedipus’s downfall is his pride or hybris. Oedipus is a classic example of Aristotle's tragic man. Sophocles characterizes Oedipus through his actions and his words. He exhibits a supreme pride through his dialogue in the play, and his actions protest the gods' ultimate power. When Oedipus Rex begins, we find that a plague is consuming Thebes. Oedipus quickly sends Kreon to Delphi to receive the first oracle. Kreon explains that a great crime had been committed. The murderer of king Laios is in their city and until justice is given the plague will remain. So, full of his pride and himself, Oedipus begins his investigation with a promise, “I solemnly forbid the people of this country, /Where power and throne are mine, ever to receive /that man /...And as for me, this curse applies no less.” Oedipus is blind to the true nature of the situation and himself. He desperately wants to know, to see, but he cannot. At this point, it is obvious that Oedipus’s action must be to overcome his “blindness”. Ironically, into the play is introduced a prophet, Teiresias. He is physically blind but is a clairvoyant. He does not wish to tell Oedipus the true nature of the situation and attempts to leave. Only upon insistent badgering ...