Oedipus' Change in Beliefs

In Oedipus the King, Sophocles has many elements that change throughout his play. Many of these show Oedipus' progression as a tragic hero. His faith is tested and fails him before he can finally see the truth. At the start of the play, Oedipus believes in prophets, but thinks he can avoid his foretold future. When he hears more about his own prophecy from a blind prophet, Tiresias, he begins to doubt the validity of …

…sight of the truth. He learns his wavering belief in prophets, through out the story, was one of his tragic flaws. This element of disbelief throughout the play adds to Oedipus' character as being the tragic hero. Through his stubborn will to fight a prophecy given to him by those he trusted, he lost sight of the truth. He learns his wavering belief in prophets, through out the story, was one of his tragic flaws.