Oedipus The King A Classical Tragedy - 1272 Words

Sophocles’ Oedipus the King is a classical tragedy that derives its meaning through the experiences of its tragic hero, Oedipus. Throughout the play, the eminent characteristic of Oedipus is his ignorance of the truth that inevitably leads to his downfall. This ignorance of truth is a characteristic found within the Aristotelian definition of a tragedy. Tragedy, as defined by Aristotle in his Poetics, are imitations of actions and are not narrative. This means that tragedies are often demonstrated through the actions of characters in response to the events that are occurring within the narrative. Aristotle’s definition of a classical tragedy is demonstrated and expanded further throughout Oedipus the King through Oedipus’ characteristics, the motives for his actions, and the appeal he provides for the reader. Through an understanding of the Aristotelian definition of tragedy, the motives of Oedipus’ actions and the appeal of his story are clarified. In th e play, Oedipus the King, King Oedipus of Thebes is the tragic hero whose discovery of the truth dismantles his prestige. This is demonstrated through Oedipus’ realization that he was the child of the prophecy who murdered his father, Laius, and married his mother, Jocasta, to rise to his position as king of the Thebes. As a result of this discovery, Oedipus turns from a commanding individual to an ineffectual one; this is seen through his self-mutilation and desire to be disciplined for his actions. To further supportShow MoreRelatedThe Classical Tragedy Of Sophocles Oedipus The King950 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"Greece’s Golden Age introduced many excellent playwrights, all of whom contributed to the success of Greek Literature† (sites.google/ Playwrights of the Golden Age). Sophocles, the author of the classic tragedy, Oedipus the King, was one of the three best play writers during that time frame. 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Aristotle defined tragedy as â€Å"the simulation ofRead MoreEssay on King Oedipus as The Classical Greek Tragic Hero1360 Words   |  6 PagesKing Oedipus as The Classical Greek Tragic Hero In his Poetics, Aristotle defined the term tragedy as a man not preeminently virtuous and just, whose misfortune, however, is brought upon him not by vice or depravity, but by some error in judgement the change in the heros fortune must not be from misery to happiness, but on the contrary, from happiness to misery. From this definition, he further expanded it by defining the profile of the Classical Greek tragic hero, basing it on what he