Oedipus’s Journey from Power to Tragedy: An Aristotelian Tragic Hero

In Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, Oedipus is indeed the quintessential agonized protagonist, since he meets and follows Aristotle’s model for the tragic hero. Essentially, a tragic hero is a protagonist who possesses heroic traits that will earn the sympathy of an audience, yet they will still have either flaws or mistakes that will eventually lead to their own downfall. Some argue that Oedipus does not meet the requirements of Aristotle to be a tragic hero; however, others firmly believe in the tragic heroism of his character. Oedipus does indeed meet the criteria of a tragic hero for Oedipus is virtuous, flawed, and a sufferer of a fortune reversal. 

Oedipus Rex acts as a noble man, who is both capable and powerful. Oedipus is a strong king who strives to aid his kingdom with a wise and firm hand. His wisdom is remembered and revered in Thebes as he has previously proven his wit in the solving of the riddle of the Sphinx. Concern for his people proves Oedipus’s virtue as he is deeply committed to the welfare of his beloved city which he believes he rightfully rules. He also proves to be a man of justice as he is committed to punishing Laius’s murderer and rid Thebes of all corruption, although this ultimately will lead to his own downfall. Despite these wonderful virtuous traits, his tragic flaw (hubris) leads to his demise, leaving the audience with the vision of this tragic hero who is fundamentally good, but openly flawed.  

Oedipus’s excessive pride (hubris) appears to be his most notable flaw since truly he believes that he can outsmart the prophecy deemed over his life stating that he will kill his father and marry his mother. By attempting to avoid this prophecy, Oedipus ultimately believes that he can defy the will of the gods. In addition, his attitude also appears arrogant and impulsive. This is seen in his angry accusation of Creon plotting against him despite there being no evidence of this plot. He refuses constantly to accept that fate can be avoided which leads to his lack of self-awareness. Oedipus is blind to the reality of his situation and the consequences of his own actions. These flaws are deeply rooted in both pride and stubbornness.  

Oedipus suffers a reversal of fortune when he learns the truth about his identity. At the beginning of the play, Oedipus acts as the revered king of Thebes, who is admired for his saving of the city from the Sphinx. Unfortunately, the further investigation of King Laius’s murder leads to the devastating realization that Oedipus himself is responsible for the killing of his father and mother. This revelation then removes him from the so-called respected ruler of Thebes to a tragic figure ultimately doomed by his actions. 

The concept of catharsis plays a crucial part in the tragic hero’s role due to Aristotle's belief that the audience should evoke feelings of fear and pity while watching a tragedy unfold on stage because of the emotional purging experienced. Oedipus’s character and his life as a whole elicit these emotions from the audience. As the story of Oedipus unfolds, the audience initially feels a type of deep pity for him, as they watch this noble king determined to rid the city of suffering while slowly turning into a powerless man with an impending fate that he cannot escape. At the same time; however, the audience experiences fear as they watch the downfall of Oedipus, realizing that his pride and his attempt to defy the gods lead to the destruction of his self. 

Oedipus indeed embodies all the characteristics of the Aristotelian tragic hero. Sophocles demonstrates, through the journey of Oedipus, the inevitable consequence of human pride, the inescapable nature of fate, and the crushing weight of arrogance. This then evokes feelings in the audience, which is an essential part of the defining characteristics that a tragic hero must possess according to Aristotle. Oedipus Rex remains and will continue to remain a timeless example of a story displaying what it truly means to be a tragic hero due to Oedipus’s embodiment of all the key elements of tragedy. His noble title as king of Thebes, his tragic flaw of pride, and his constant pursuit of the truth all are key factors in his downfall. This play particularly highlights the inescapable nature of fate by illustrating that no matter how much one tries to defy it, fate remains an unyielding force. Through this tumultuous journey, Sophocles invites the audience to soak in this tragically powerful story about the fragility of human existence.