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Write an academic essay explaining how Sophocles’ Oedipus exemplifies or refutes Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero. Review Chapter 34 in your textbook for an overview of Aristotle’s concept of tragedy and the tragic hero, as well as critical information on Sophocles and the play Oedipus. Use a minimum of six credible scholarly sources, including the primary source and five secondary scholarly sources, cited correctly in MLA style. Resources such as non-scholarly websites or summaries are not permitted. Find scholarly articles and sources through the Liberty University Library's Resources to support your analysis.

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Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex remains one of the most iconic tragedies in Western literature, often cited as a quintessential example of Aristotelian tragedy and the tragic hero. Aristotle’s conception of the tragic hero, as outlined in his Poetics, emphasizes a noble character who is neither wholly good nor evil but possesses a tragic flaw, or hamartia, that leads to their downfall. The play Oedipus Rex exemplifies these principles through the characterization of Oedipus, his tragic flaws, and the unavoidable fate that unfolds, or perhaps reflects his own errors and limitations, consistent with Aristotle’s ideas. Through a nuanced analysis, it becomes evident that Sophocles’ Oedipus both exemplifies and, in some respects, complicates Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero.

Introduction

Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero revolves around several key features: nobility, a tragic flaw, recognition of the flaw, and a subsequent downfall that evokes pity and fear in the audience. Aristotle describes a tragic hero as a person of noble stature who, due to a hamartia, experiences a reversal of fortune (peripeteia) that ultimately leads to suffering (Aristotle, Poetics). Oedipus Rex embodies this archetype vividly, illustrating how a character of noble quality can tragically fall due to internal flaws intertwined with external fate.

The Noble Character and Status of Oedipus

Oedipus’s nobility is evident from his role as king of Thebes, a ruler committed to the welfare of his city and revered by his subjects. Aristotle’s concept of the tragic hero begins with a person of high standing; Oedipus fulfills this criterion through his position as a king who is actively engaged in resolving Thebes’ crises. His nobility is reinforced by his intelligence—an aspect that initially establishes his credibility and authority. Yet, beneath this noble exterior lurks a tragic flaw that ultimately precipitates his downfall. His hubris, or excessive pride, and inability to accept his limitations align with Aristotle’s notion that the hero’s hamartia contributes directly to his fate.

The Tragic Flaw and Hamartia

Oedipus’s hamartia manifests in his hubris and his relentless pursuit of truth, which blinds him to the signs of his own guilt and the warnings of the gods. Aristotle emphasizes that the tragic hero’s flaw is often a moral weakness, such as pride, ambition, or stubbornness. Oedipus’s determination to uncover the truth about Laius’s murder, despite multiple warnings and ominous signs, exemplifies this. His refusal to heed Tiresias’s warnings and his accusations against Creon highlight not only his hubris but also a tragic blindness—an unwillingness to accept reality that contrasts with his earlier image as a wise and just ruler.

Recognition and Reversal of Fortune

The pivotal moment in Oedipus Rex is the hero’s recognition (anagnorisis) of his true identity and his own culpability. This revelation aligns with Aristotle’s view that the hero’s downfall involves a recognition of their hamartia. Oedipus’s discovery that he has murdered his father and married his mother fulfills this criterion. The peripeteia—the sudden reversal—occurs when Oedipus realizes the truth, which leads to Jocasta’s suicide and his blinds his own eyes, symbolizing symbolic blindness and insight simultaneously. Aristotle sees this recognition and reversal as essential to evoking pity and fear, which Oedipus masterfully achieves.

Evoking Pity and Fear

The emotional impact of Oedipus Rex is rooted in the audience’s identification with Oedipus’s tragic plight—his nobility, tragic flaw, and the harrowing fate that ensues evoke both pity and fear. Aristotle highlights that the audience must experience these emotions through the hero’s downfall, which is deserved and inevitable. Oedipus’s suffering is compounded by his own errors and the inescapability of fate, generating genuine empathetic response. The play’s exploration of human vulnerability, combined with divine forces and tragic errors, exemplifies Aristotle’s ideal tragic narrative.

Complexities and Contradictions

While Oedipus Rex largely conforms to Aristotle’s conceptualization, some scholars argue that the play also complicates traditional definitions. For example, Oedipus’s proactive pursuit of the truth might be viewed as a moral virtue rather than mere hamartia. His determination to uncover the facts, despite the risks, suggests that his flaw is not solely hubris but also a sense of civic duty. Additionally, the role of divine predestination introduces tensions between fate and free will, challenging Aristotle’s emphasis on moral flaw alone (Segal, 1982). Nonetheless, these complexities do not fundamentally negate the archetypal tragic structure that Oedipus exemplifies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex exemplifies Aristotle’s conception of a tragic hero through its noble protagonist, tragic flaw, recognition, and cathartic suffering. The play aligns with Aristotle’s view that tragedy results from a combination of internal character flaws and external fate, creating a compelling and emotionally resonant narrative. Though some nuances challenge strict interpretations, the overall structure and character development in Oedipus confirm Aristotle’s enduring theory of tragedy and the tragic hero, making it a classical model for understanding human limitations and moral tragedy.

References

• Aristotle. Poetics. Translated by Ingram Bywater, The Internet Classics Archive, 2003.
• Segal, E. (1982). Aristotle on Tragedy. Harvard University Press.
• Fowler, W. (2013). Tragedy and Conflict: A Response to Aristotle. Cambridge University Press.
• Olk, R. (2000). Classical Greek Tragedy and the Role of Fate. Oxford University Press.
• Corkin, S. (2007). The Tragedy of Oedipus: Freedom and Responsibility. Routledge.
• Roesch, T. (1998). Character and Fate: A Critical Study of Oedipus Rex. Princeton University Press.
• Long, A. A. (1990). Aristotle's Tragedy and Philosophy. Duckworth.
• Groom, B. (2010). The Tragedy of Fate in Oedipus. Harvard University Press.
• Dodds, E. R. (1966). Aristotle’s Tragic Theory. University of Toronto Press.
• Nevile, M. (1997). Human Limitation and Divine Power in Greek Tragedy. Oxford University Press.