Tragedy of Oedipus the Hero

            Oedipus fulfills most of the characteristics essential in a tragic hero. He comes from the royal line and attains the title of king. His actions teach the audience that arrogance comes before destruction. In Sophocles’ play, Oedipus the King, Oedipus acts as a Greek tragic hero through events that cause him to care for the society, attain self-knowledge to late while accepting downfall, and his downfall releases him from burden and society from his flaw.

            Oedipus prides himself in watching over the well-being of the society. In reply to the priest’s request for assistance, Oedipus replies, “the quest that throngs you here […] is no new quest for me” (7). He helps the citizens of Thebes by trying to stop the plague. His ability to think ahead and send Creon to Apollo shows that he not only cares about himself but his people as well. Creon is told to “speak out to all [and that] it is more for [the society] than for [Oedipus]” (8).  His sincerity shows how well he works alongside his people. Oedipus treats the people as equals instead of inferiors due to his power. Despite his ability to help the society, Oedipus is unable to save himself from his wrongdoing in time.

            Oedipus acknowledges his error after he has acquired the consequences. He reminisces about “his birth revealed from those it never should, [himself] entwined with those [he] never could, and killer of those [he] never would” (67). He realizes he is the son and murderer of Laius after he has slept with his mother unknowingly. His errors go against his morals, laws, and desires. At the edges of the city, Oedipus “begged to be cast adrift, not rot at home as curser and cursed” (71). Oedipus accepts downfall and desires to show the world his error when before he showed the world his power. Therefore, he goes from the royal steps to the city gates in disgrace but does not ask to be pardoned due to his status. Oedipus realizes his mistakes from a point of no return and accepts his downfall which releases him from Thebes.

            Oedipus’ downfall liberates his spirit from burdens and frees the society from flaws. As Oedipus commands the welfare of his daughters, he is told that “the mastery [he] had in life had been his fall” (80). Creon states that Oedipus was burdened by his desire to be in control. He is released from the burden through his dethroning. Creon brings news from Apollo that “the city frets with someone’s blood“ (9).  The blood of Laius’ murderer is required to free Thebes from the plague. As Oedipus gauges his eyes out with his wife-mother’s broach, he frees the society from the plague and his unlawful marriage. Oedipus’ ability to free himself and the society from burdens meets the standards to be a hero.

            . Oedipus tries to save Thebes in her time of need. He accidentally kills a man and marries the man’s wife which turns out to be his mother. His downfall frees him from being king and emancipates the society from the plague. Oedipus attains the title of a tragic hero through his ability to care for his society, inability to recognize errors in time and accepting his downfall while freeing himself and the society from his burdens and flaws. Oedipus leaves a legacy that devastation comes to those with overconfidence.