Sophocles’ Oedipus is an exemplary instance of tragedy in literature that has garnered much attention and analysis over the centuries. Scholars have approached this play, along with other tragic works, using various frameworks, with Aristotle’s concept of the tragic hero being one of the most prominent. Aristotle explains that a tragic hero is a character of high status who possesses a tragic flaw or hamartia, experiences a reversal of fortune, and ultimately meets a tragic end. This essay aims to evaluate how Oedipus fits into this definition of a tragic hero and examine some possible issues and limitations associated with this framework.
One key framework through which scholars approach Oedipus and other tragic works are the concept of a tragic flaw, which suggests that the tragic hero possesses a fatal flaw or weakness that ultimately leads to their downfall[1]. This framework emphasizes the character’s role in the tragedy and highlights the tension between individual agency and larger societal forces[2]. Another important framework is the concept of catharsis, which suggests that tragedy evokes strong emotions in the audience and provides a release or purification of those emotions. This framework emphasizes the emotional impact of tragedy and its potential to facilitate personal growth and transformation.
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While Oedipus can be seen as both an exemplification and a refutation of how Aristotle defines a tragic hero, his story remains a powerful and enduring example of the genre, continuing to captivate audiences today. Aristotle prescribes that the tragic hero portrayed as “a person who is neither completely good nor completely evil but who, because of some error or tragic flaw, suffers a reversal of fortune, moving from happiness to misery.” The tragic hero, he says, must be a noble birth person, so the audience can identify with and feel sympathy for them. According to Aristotle, a tragic hero must possess certain qualities, including hamartia, a tragic flaw; hubris or excessive pride; anagnorisis, or a moment of recognition or realization.[3]. Furthermore, the tragic hero’s downfall must be brought about by their actions and tragic flaw or error in judgment rather than by external forces beyond their control.
Oedipus fits many of these criteria, making him a quintessential example of a tragic hero. As the king of Thebes, Oedipus is certainly of noble birth, and his position of power and authority adds to his tragic stature. However, his tragic flaw – his pride and arrogance – ultimately leads to his downfall. Oedipus is a man who believes himself to be a great and wise ruler, and he takes great pride in his ability to solve problems and make decisions. This pride leads him to be blind to the truth, both about himself and about the world around him.[4]. He is a noble and virtuous king who his people respect. His stubbornness and arrogance lead him to ignore warnings and make rash decisions. This is seen when he hears a rumor that he may be the murderer of the former king, he becomes obsessed with finding the truth and refuses to listen to anyone who tries to dissuade him.
Oedipus’s tragic flaw is evident from the beginning of the play when he vows to solve the mystery of the plague that is afflicting Thebes.[5]. He is so confident in his ability to do so that he promises to bring the perpetrator of the crime to justice, no matter who it is. This, of course, sets him on a collision course with his fate, as he is the one who is ultimately revealed to be the murderer. Oedipus’s pride and arrogance also lead him to dismiss the warnings of the blind prophet Tiresias, who tries to tell him that the truth is not what he thinks it is. Oedipus’s refusal to believe Tiresias sets him on a path that will ultimately lead to his downfall.
His arrogance is evident throughout the play as he seeks to solve the mystery of the former king’s murder and save his people from the plague that has befallen them. He believes that he is the only one who can solve the riddle of the Sphinx and rid his city of the curse, declaring confidently that he will “bring it all to light” (Sophocles 389). His hubris leads him to believe that he can outsmart even the gods, and he refuses to accept the possibility that the prophecy he received could come true.
This pride ultimately leads to Oedipus’ downfall, as his pursuit of the truth brings him closer and closer to the realization that he is the murderer he has been searching for[6]. Despite the warnings of others, he refuses to let go of his belief that he can control his fate, declaring that “the man who thinks that he can steer his life / By the lame art of prophecy receives / No whit more certain foothold than the blind” (Sophocles 1056-1058). However, as the truth of his identity and his actions becomes increasingly clear, he is forced to confront the reality of his situation, leading to a tragic ending in which he blinds himself and is cast out of the city[7]. Thus, it is Oedipus’ hubris that ultimately leads to his downfall, as he refuses to accept his limitations and overestimates his abilities. While his pride may have driven him to accomplish great things, it is ultimately his undoing. His tragic fate warns against the dangers of unchecked arrogance and the limitations of human knowledge and power.
One of the key elements of Aristotle’s provision of the tragic hero is that the character has to suffer. The suffering comes in terms of a reversal of fortune, moving from happiness to misery.[8]. Oedipus certainly fits these criteria, as his initial happiness and pride are shattered when he discovers the truth about his past and actions. When Oedipus learns his actions against his father and married his mother, he is so horrified that he blinds himself in a fit of madness. His final words in the play – “What a wretched end to a wretched life” – testify to the magnitude of his suffering.
However, in some ways, Oedipus fails to fit Aristotle’s definition of the tragic hero. Oedipus is not a character who is “neither completely good nor completely evil.” He is initially presented as a very virtuous and honorable character. He is a man who cares deeply about his people and is determined to go through everything possible in order to protect them.[9]. Furthermore, his tragic flaw is not necessarily a moral failing but rather a flaw in his personality and problem-solving approach.
Another potential issue with his definition of the tragic hero is that it heavily emphasizes the character’s agency in their downfall. This could be seen as problematic in cases where external forces – such as fate or divine intervention – play a significant role in the character’s tragic fate. In the case of Oedipus, it could be argued that forces beyond his control largely determine his fate. The prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother was set in motion long before he was even born, and his attempts to avoid this fate only served to bring him closer to it. In this sense, Oedipus’s tragic fate could be seen as the result of a larger cosmic order rather than solely his actions and flaws.
However, it is important to note that even in cases where external forces play a role in the tragic hero’s downfall, the character’s response to these forces is still an important part of their tragic journey. Oedipus’s pride and arrogance, for example, are what drive him to try to solve the mystery of the plague in the first place, and his refusal to accept the truth – even when it is staring him in the face – is what ultimately leads to his downfall. While fate may have set the stage for Oedipus’s tragedy, his choices and actions bring about his final downfall.
Despite these potential issues, it is clear that Oedipus exemplifies many of the key characteristics of this archetype[10]. His noble birth, tragic flaw, and reversal of fortune contribute to his status as a tragic hero, and his story continues to captivate audiences today. Indeed, the enduring appeal of tragedy – and characters like Oedipus – lies in their ability to evoke powerful emotions and provoke deep reflection on the nature of the human condition.
Sophocles’ Oedipus is a complex and multifaceted character, and his story raises several questions and challenges Aristotle’s definition of the tragic hero. On the one hand, Oedipus can be seen as a prime example of the tragic hero archetype. He is a man of noble birth with great strength and intelligence but also harbors a tragic flaw – his pride and arrogance – that ultimately leads to his downfall. His journey from a position of power and prestige to humiliation and despair is a classic example of the reversal of fortune, a hallmark of tragedy.
On the other hand, some aspects of Oedipus’ character and story do not fit neatly into Aristotle’s definition of the tragic hero. For example, Oedipus is not a character who is neither completely good nor completely evil. He is initially presented as a very virtuous and honorable character. Furthermore, his tragic flaw is not necessarily a moral failing but rather a flaw in his personality and problem-solving approach. In addition, Oedipus’ fate is largely determined by external forces such as prophecy and divine intervention rather than solely his actions and flaws.
Despite the challenges to Aristotle’s definition, Oedipus still serves as a compelling and long-lasting illustration of the tragic hero. His narrative captivates and evokes emotions in audiences because it taps into universal themes and experiences – the conflict between free will and destiny, the balance between individual control and larger universal forces, and the catastrophic consequences of excessive pride and arrogance. Oedipus embodies the best and worst of humanity, and his tragic fate serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of overconfidence and the vulnerability of human existence.
In summary, Sophocles’ Oedipus can be viewed both as an example and a critique of Aristotle’s definition of the tragic hero. Although Oedipus fits many of the characteristics that Aristotle outlines, such as his noble birth, tragic flaw, and reversal of fortune, certain aspects of his character and story do not perfectly align with this archetype. Nonetheless, Oedipus remains a potent and timeless illustration of the tragic hero, and his story continues to captivate and move audiences today.
Bibliography
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“Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannus.” Greek Tragic Theatre, 2003, 117–30. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203208830-16.
[1] _ Sophocles, “Oedipus the King,” Sophocles: Four Tragedies: Oedipus the King, Aias, Philoctetes, Oedipus at Colonus, 2015, pp. 1-2, https://doi.org/10.1093/oseo/instance.00185864.
[2] Margery Hourihan, “Deconstructing the Hero,” 2005, https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203974100.
[3] Lucius Annaeus Seneca et al., Oedipus (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2018).
[4] “Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannus,” Greek Tragic Theatre, February 2003, pp. 117-130, https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203208830-16.
[5] Dlvf, Greek & Roman mythology – greek tragedy, accessed March 4, 2023, https://www2.classics.upenn.edu/myth/php/tragedy/index.php?page=oedhero.
[6] Joan C. Grace, Tragic Theory in the Critical Works of Thomas Rymer, John Dennis, and John Dryden (Rutherford N.J.: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 1975).
[7] Lucius Annaeus Seneca et al., Oedipus (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2018).
[8] Lucius Annaeus Seneca et al., Oedipus (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2018).
[9] Margery Hourihan, “Deconstructing the Hero,” 2005, https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203974100.
[10] _ Sophocles, “Oedipus the King,” Sophocles: Four Tragedies: Oedipus the King, Aias, Philoctetes, Oedipus at Colonus, 2015, pp. 1-2, https://doi.org/10.1093/oseo/instance.00185864.
