Kerwan Antoine OEDIPUS THE KING RESEARCH PAPER PART...

OEDIPUS THE KING - RESEARCH PAPER (PART III)
ENG102 – MWF – 1000
KERWAN ANTOINE

Oedipus Rex , also known as Oedipus the King by most English-speakers,
was a Greek play first performed in 429 BC and was written by Sophocles. The
play showcases the tragedy of a great King’s inevitable downfall. What I liked
about the play was that Oedipus actually cared about the people whom he had
rule over. It was this nature that influenced him to seek a solution for the
plague. I also liked the fact that he tried changing his fate, albeit futile,
when the prophecy was told to him. What I disliked from the play was that even
after being told by Tiresias to stop looking for King Laius’ murderer, Oedipus
insisted on going down that path and eventually causing his defeat. Another
thing I loathed was that Oedipus was filled with so much pride that he accused
his own brother in law, and prophet of wanting his throne, when they were just
following his orders. One of the two things I learned from the play was that
it is our intentions to prevent bad things from happening that actually brings
them to fruition. The other is that our traits affects those around us whether
we like it or not; usually a flaw in our character will cause emotional harm
to people around us. In this essay, I will discuss Oedipus The King as a
classical tragic hero, having possessed all five traits, which are: high
social standing, a fatal flaw, the downfall, the knock-on-effect, and finally,
the epiphany.
The first trait I will discuss today is High Standing; primarily, a high
and noble status in society by our hero, Oedipus. “Oh my children, the new
blood of ancient Thebes, why are you here? Huddling at my altar, praying
before me, your branches wound in wool” (Page 262, Lines 1-3). Oedipus is
presented in his greatness; King of Thebes. He refers to the people as “my
children” which indicates his superiority. He is confident in his ability to
serve as their king. “Oh Oedipus, king of the land, our greatest power!” (page
264, line 16). Oedipus is revered by the people of Thebes. The procession of
priests appears before him, seeking his help once more to deliver the kingdom
from another plague. Oedipus has proven himself, earning their respect. “You
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cannot equal the gods, your children know that, bending at your altar. But we
rate you first of men” (pg. 264, 39-41). Oedipus came into power at a time
when the kingdom was vulnerable. He was the only one able to deliver them from
the Sphinx, and they had been confident in his ability to prove himself once
more. They look to him as a savior, fully aware that he is merely a man and
not a god. H.G. Mullens’ quote of Aristotle’s recipe for a tragic hero is
that, “He is a man of good position and reputation, and he is prosperous”