Philosophy Oedipus and Aristotle - 1255 Words

Through Aristotle’s specific definition of a tragic hero, it can be concluded that Oedipus is a tragic hero. Oedipus The King was written by a well-known tragic dramatist named Sophocles. This story is considered to be one of the greatest tragedies of all time. In fact, the Marjorie Barstow of the Classical Weekly says that it â€Å"fulfills the function of a tragedy, and arouses fear and pity in the highest degree† (Barstow). It is also very controversial because of the relationship that Oedipus has with his mother, although it was unknown at the time that they were related. The qualifications of a tragic hero, according to Aristotle, include coming from a royal family and falling from power due to actions that only the protagonist can take†¦show more content†¦After Oedpius and Jocasta are married, Oedipus makes it his goal to find out who killed the former king. His determination to find the murderer actually shows part of his good character. It portrays him as a caring and loving king, as he was so vigorously looking for the killer because it was what was best for the people and for his family. This loving character helps the audience pity him, overlooking some of the bigger flaws in his character. However, this act also exemplifies one of Oedpus’ biggest character flaws. Being a very prideful man, Oedipus fails to even consider that he himself was the one to kill the former king. This concept is called hubris, or excessive pride. It is fair to say that Oedipus’ greatest act of hubris is when he tries so hard to deny his fate. His prophecy was that he was destined to murder his father and marry his mother. By trying to deny his fate, he ironically fulfills it. He is so determined not to that he will not even consider the possibility that he was the murderer of the former king. This character flaw is another example of how Oedipus is a tragic hero according to Aristotle’s definition. His excessive pride is a charac ter flaw that cannot be overlooked and causes him to deny having any part of the murder. Aristotle described how the protagonist of the story must have a fall from power. This ties into the term hamartia. Oedipus’ hamartia and his tragic flaw are often confused to have theShow MoreRelatedIs Oedipus Rex A High Minded Man?782 Words   |  3 Pages11  October,  2014   Does  Oedipus  fit  the  qualities  of  a  high ­minded  man?      In   Greek   society   entertainment,   like   the   theatre,   was   an   enormous   part   of   many   lives.   Theatre   represented   a   culture   and   values   found   in   Greek   society.   Theatre   was   also   a   way   for   many   different   of   people   to   enjoy   similar   things,   despite   being   from   different   classes.   ​ Oedipus   Rex   was   one   of   the   major   plays   shown   in   Greek   society.   Sophocles’   Oedipus   Rex   ​ tells   the   hardship  Read More tragoed Oedipus the King (Oedipus Rex) as Ideal Tragic Hero1245 Words   |  5 PagesOedipus Rex as the Ideal Tragic Hero If we give ourselves up to a full sympathy with the hero, there is no question that the Oedipus Rex fulfills the function of a tragedy, and arouses fear and pity in the highest degree. But the modern reader, coming to the classic drama not entirely for the purpose of enjoyment, will not always surrender himself to the emotional effect. He is apt to worry about Greek fatalism and the justice of the downfall of Oedipus, and, finding no satisfactory solutionRead MoreOedipus The King, A Tragic Hero Story Of Fate1495 Words   |  6 Pages OEDIPUS THE KING, A TRAGIC HERO STORY OF FATE Pamela A. Long L26269572 ENGL 102 Professor Givens March 2, 2015 Turabian Sophocles is one of the great ancient Greek tragedians in the history of drama. In the play â€Å"Oedipus the King,† Oedipus is an excellent example of fate happening to a tragic hero. In addition, this play has all the elements of tragedy; human weakness, powerless, suffering, and one not having control of his own destiny. As a result, â€Å"Oedipus the King†Read MoreOpedipus, a tragic hero Essay example1708 Words   |  7 PagesOutline Thesis Statement: Oedipus is the embodiment of Aristotle’s characterization of a tragic hero through his ability to preserve his virtue and wisdom, despite his flaws and predicament. Introduction I. Sophocles’ Oedipus: A Tragic Hero A. Definition of a tragic hero B. Oedipus Character as it relates II. Tragedy A. Language of Tragedy B. Tragedy as it affects the audience III. Plot A. Aristotle’s idea of a tragic plot B. Significance of the plot IV. Virtue and Morality Read MoreTragic Hero1598 Words   |  7 PagesHero From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia A tragic hero is a protagonist with a tragic flaw, also known as fatal flaw, which eventually leads to his demise. The concept of the tragic hero was created in ancient Greek tragedy and defined by Aristotle. Usually, the realization of fatal flaw results in catharsis or epiphany. The tragic flaw is sometimes referred to as an Achilles heel after the single fatal flaw of the Greek warrior Achilles. [citation needed] Aristotelian tragic hero InRead MoreOedipus The King Analysis1235 Words   |  5 Pageslegacy memorable plays still live along generations today. One of his most famous plays that tends to be memorable to most people is Oedipus the king because Oedipus is an obvlious ignorant king who tries to blame everyone in his circle and soon realizes hes the killer, and runs away from all of the chaos. In the short article, written by Bernard Knox it relates to Oedipus the king because of how civilization is like in the city of Thebes and how there is conflicts within and outside the kingdom. AlsoRead More The Philosophy and Psychology of Sophocles’s Antigone and The Eumenides in Aeschylus’ Oresteia2178 Words   |  9 PagesThe Philosophy and Psychology of Sophocles’s Antigone and The Eumenides in Aeschylus’ Oresteia There is a consensus among readers of the poetry or plays written in the fifth century that the plays succeed with inspiring profound movement on the audience. The methods or reasons for the reader to be moved by a text are often disputed. Specific to tragic works the concepts of philosophy and psychology are critical elements to understand the cause of the stirred emotions of individuals whoRead MoreAncient Greek Theater1235 Words   |  5 PagesCheese’s, or not letting you hang out with that dreamy hunk Bryan on Saturday. For Oedipus, killing his parents was not something petty he threatened when he got too worked up, but rather his fate. This suspenseful and masterful plot, conceived by the legendary playwright Sophocles, was one of the many groundbreaking works to come out of fifth century BC Greece. Works of ancient Greek theater, particularly Oedipus the King, embodied the spirit of innovation that fifth century BC Athens was knownRead MoreOedipus As A Tragic He ro1939 Words   |  8 PagesThesis Statement: Sophocles’ Oedipus is a perfect example of Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero through the main characters prosperity to an emotional downfall caused by a tragic flaw. I. Oedipus is a Tragic Hero a. Definition of a tragic hero as defined by Aristotle i. Aristotelian tragic hero is defined (Aristotle 1961, p. 1453a). b. Oedipus falling into Aristotle’s tragic hero definition i. Aristotle directs us to Oedipus the King as a tragic hero (Bruening 1997, pp. 14-15). II. How TragedyRead MorePhilosophy Is The Love Of Wisdom919 Words   |  4 PagesAs said in the Arts and Culture: An Introduction to the Humanities textbook, philosophy is the â€Å"love of wisdom.† Philosophy shows us the different forms of nature and how you see the world through logic and reasoning instead of faith and emotion. Philosophy was used to justify questions about the meaning of life, form, and human nature. The first to practice philosophy were the Greeks. â€Å"The Greeks believed that what distinguished human beings was their ability to reason, and thus the philosopher