Oedipus's Tragic Flaw Is Pride How Does He Exhibit This
Oedipus Tragic Flaw Is Pride How Does He Exhibit This Flaw In The Pl
Oedipus' tragic flaw is pride. How does he exhibit this flaw in the play? Provide one quote with MLA citation for support and explain the quote. Does Oedipus have the choice or the ability to choose his own path (free will) or, is everything in his life predetermined (fate)? Provide one quote with MLA citation for support and explain the quote. Dramatic irony is when the audience knows something that the character does not. Use this definition to explain the argument between Oedipus and Teiresias on pages . Provide one quote with MLA citation for support and explain the quote.
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In Sophocles' tragedy "Oedipus Rex," the protagonist Oedipus exemplifies his tragic flaw—pride—through his unwavering confidence in his own abilities and judgments, which ultimately lead to his downfall. His pride manifests when he dismisses warnings and advice from others, including Tiresias, under the belief that he can control and understand his fate. An illustrative quote is when Oedipus vehemently dismisses Tiresias’ warnings, claiming that Tiresias is complicit in conspiracy against him: "You have no idea how terrible it is, having your own mind and still being blind" (Sophocles, lines 1162-1163). This quote demonstrates Oedipus’s hubris; he refuses to accept the truth when it counters his beliefs, believing himself to be in control and superior, which blinds him to his own flaws and the reality of his situation.
Regarding free will versus fate, Oedipus appears to initially believe he has control over his destiny, confidently asserting that he will avoid the prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother. However, as the play progresses, it becomes evident that his choices are ultimately led by preordained fate. A pertinent quote is when Jocasta mentions that prophecy is often false, suggesting that humans have some control over their destiny: "Fate has spun our thread of life so twisted and tangled that man cannot untie it" (Sophocles, lines 790-791). This indicates that despite human effort and decision-making, fate plays a significant role in shaping the outcomes of one's life, and free will may be limited or predetermined.
The concept of dramatic irony is central to the conflict between Oedipus and Tiresias. The audience knows from the outset that Oedipus has unwittingly fulfilled the tragic prophecy by killing his father and marrying his mother, while Oedipus remains blind to this truth. When Tiresias accuses Oedipus of being the murderer, Oedipus reacts angrily, refusing to believe him. An example quote is when Oedipus exclaims, "You are the cursed polluter of this city! You are the pollution of Thebes!" (Sophocles, lines 467-468). The audience understands that Oedipus himself is the true source of pollution, both morally and physically, but he cannot see this due to his pride and ignorance. This dramatic irony deepens the tragedy, as the audience witnesses Oedipus's refusal to accept the truth that he himself embodies, which is hidden from him but apparent to all others.
References
- Sophocles. "Oedipus Rex." Translated by E. F. Arnold, Loeb Classical Library, 1912.
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