Oedipus Research Paper Essay

Aristotle has desire been recognized for his contri yetions to many areas of society, from math and science to literature. It is claimed that Aristotle was racist, sexist and homophobic and that these views colorize the way he saw the world (Engle, 2008). From some of these views, the sadal gunman emerges. There are several key components to a Oedipushaving a tragic submarine sandwich. The first is that the main conk show up (protagonist) essential be of noble pitch or a member of a over-embellished family. In asset to being of noble lineage, the protagonistmust suffer from a opprobrious or tragic brand. This flaw is not necessary a team spirit flaw, but kinda a flaw that occurs as a subject of ones choices or actions. A tragic hero testament evolve the feelings of disgrace or fear and cause the reader and listening to identify with the main character. And, fin altogethery, the hearing or reader must perplex Catharsis. Catharsis is a feeling of relieve that the main character had his come-uppance and was brought down. It is not a feeling of depression or sadness oer the fate of the nobleman. Kennedy (pages 856-858).To elaborate, the nobleman must be of high estate that gives him a place of dignity. The retort from this dignity makes the razet seem more of a calamity in that it involves more than just the main character. A slip away that affects an entire nation or people is often the result of a noblemans fall. The main character is certainly no daemon he is fallible and has a weakness of character that leads to his end. Kennedy (pages 856-858) According to Aristotle, the standard tragic hero is defined as There remains therefore the man who occupies the mean between saintliness and depravity.He is not extra-ordinary in justice and righteousness and yet does not fall into bad fortune because of darkness and wickedness but because of some hamartia of a kind frame in men of high reputation and good fortune much(prenominal) as Oed ipus and Thyestes and famous men of similar families. Adade-Yeboah, et al (2012). The next part of a tragic heros role is that of recognition or discovery. This part includes the divine revelation of some prior unknown fact or element to bring to light the true identity of the main character. The revelation whitethorn be receivable to the actions of the main character or due to those of a minor character.They may already be known by the reader or the audience, thus ma top executive some of the choices the character makes approximately painfully ignorant. Often times, once the revelation has been made, it leads to a ab come to the fore turn. A reversal is simply an action that has the opposite effect from the one intended. This reversal may be due in part to the tragic or fateful flaw of the protagonist. Kennedy (pages 856-858) Finally, there is the fear and pity that is aroused in the audience and / or reader. Even though most may feel similar the main character deserved the en d results, there is still a sense of pity or sorrow that they must suffer and harm so much.Now that we have looked at the common urgencys for a tragic hero, we will look at index Oedipus as the tragic hero. King Oedipus was worshiped by the people of Thebes. They saw him as wise and came to him to seek function and counsel when their city was suffering. He has freed them from the tyranny of the Sphinx and they were forever grateful. He even recognized his own largeness by referring to himself as the one who was called great by all men and calling the people of the city children. Oedipus (Prologue, course of instruction 8) Through birth and adoption both, Oedipus was a nobleman.He has been left out in the wilderness by his separate due to a prodigy that his father would die by the sons hand. He was because adopted by King Polybus of Corinth. Thus, he fulfilled the first requirement of the tragic hero being of noble birth or royal bloodlines. The next aspect of a tragic hero is one with a fatal or tragic flaw. Oedipus wanted to seek the truth regarding the reach of King Laius, believing that the truth would purge the city of the horrible depone that it was under. We see the king as one of high moral integrity, but subject to the normal frailties of the human being (Adade-Yeboah, et al (2012).He is pictured as being somewhat short tempered and often efflorescence due to his desire to do the right thing. This perhaps is his tragic flaw in his zeal to find the murdered, he makes rash statements about avoidance the individual guilty of the murder, regardless of his standing in society (Oedipus). This brings us to the next aspect of the tragic hero the revelation. Through seeking the advice of a prophet, it is revealed to King Oedipus that he is the receiver You are the murdered of the king whose murderer you seek.Oedipus Initially, the king does believe that this is the case, but as he examines the evidence, it becomes clear that he is the guilty one. This revelation leads to the reversal in the kings life. In one moment, he realizes that his wife is his mother, that his children are his brothers and sisters and that all is lost for him. thus enter pity for the king. Not only does Oedipus find out that he is adopted, he in any case discovered that he killed his father, and had married his mother. He was genuinely sorrowful for the shame and anguish that the people of his city would suffer I grieve for you, my children.Believe me, I know all that you desire of me, all that you suffer and while you suffer, none suffers more than I. Oedipus We feel even more pity for him when his wife and mother hangs herself and he puts his own eyes out He was called my king, but now whose tale is more miserable? Oedipus As Oedipus loses his throne, his thoughts are of those around him who he has hurt the people of Thebes and his children (who are also his brothers and sisters). He leaves them in the care of their uncle Creon. Before leaving them, he tells them how sober he is For the unhappiness that must be yours And for the bitter life that you must lead. Oedipus In conclusion, Oedipus has all of the criteria for a tragic hero. He is a nobleman, by dint of choices and actions experienced a fall from greatness and his throne and aroused the pity of the reader and audience. Aristotle speaks of a tragic heros Harmatia or his tragic flaw being not one of moral roots, but rather one that is displayed through the choices and actions of the character. It is quite apparent that had Oedipus not killed his father, then the other events of marrying his mother, fathering his brothers and sisters, losing his site and his throne would not have come about.Although there is calamity throughout this drama, one must applaud the nobleness and courage that Oedipus demonstrated by accepting responsibility for his actions and accepting the same consequences as he had previously deemed needed to purge the land of the curse. As a resul t of the fall of the king, the audience and reader is left with a feeling of relieve (catharsis) that the king gets what he deserves for killing his father. Although there is pity for all the heartache he has to endure, there is a sense of poetic justice that just because the hero was of noble birth, he was not spared punishment.References Adade-Yeboah, A. , Ahenkora, K. , & Amankwah, A. S. (2012). The tragic hero of the classical period. English Language and Literature Studies, 2(3), 10-17. Retrieved from http//search. proquest. com/docview/1045567248? accountid=12085 Engle, Eric (2008). Aristotle, Law and Justice The Tragic Hero, Page 1. Kennedy, X. J. , & Gioia, D. (2010). minute Casebook Sophocles. Literature- An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama & Writing (pp. 856-858). New York Pearson.