Oedipus Rex

Oedipus Rex In the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, Oedipus is a classic tragic hero in which makes the play a tragedy. According to Aristotle's definition, Oedipus is a tragic hero because he is a king whose life falls apart when he finds out his life story. There are a number of characteristics described by Aristotle that identify a tragic hero. For example, a tragic hero must cause his own downfall enforcing hamartia, his fate …

…If he hadn't been so judgmental, he would never have killed King Laius and called Tiresias a liar. In the beginning, Tiresias is simply trying to ease him slowly into the truth; but Oedipus is too proud to see any truths, and he refuses to believe that he could have been responsible for such a horrible crime. He learns a lesson about life and how there is more to it than just one person's fate.