tragic figure essay
According to Aristotle, a tragic figure is a human yet better; having a misapprehension in circumspection which causes a decline from a pinnacle; and claiming victory by realizing their mistakes. The main characters in Medea and Hippolytus, both Greek tragedies written by Euripides; Oedipus, a Greek tragedy written by Sophocles; and Desire Under the Elms, a twentieth century tragedy written by Eugene O'Neil are all great examples of tragic figures. Each character, Medea, Hippolytus, Oedipus, and Abbie exemplifies the definition of a tragic figure in his or her own way. However, all four characters possesses a strength which makes them better than the average person; each character has a personal flaw or misstep that leads to their downfall; and Oedipus and Abbie claim final victory where as Medea and Hippolytus do not. The Strength of Medea, Hippolytus, Oedipus, and Abbie are exhibited in numerous ways. One of the strengths that all of the characters share is determination. The characters share this quality because, Medea was determined to get revenge on Jason; Hippolytus was determined to let his father know the truth; Oedipus was determined to find the killer of Lauis; and Abbie was determined to own the farm. Medea's and Abbie'
s determination for selfish reasons. Medea proclaims, "If I can find the means or devise any scheme to pay my husband for what he has done to me..." This quote shows how resolved Medea is to repay Jason. Abbie's ascertainment is used to mostly to get material entities, Abbie states how she only married Cabot for a home in the following, "Waal-what if I did need a hum? What else'd I marry a old man like him fur?" This reference shows how determined she was to marry just for material things. Now, in the case of Hippolytus and Oedipus, their determination was for the good of the family or country. In the tragedy Hippolytus, Hippolytus pronounces to his father, "Nor am I, father, one that mocks his fellows, but loyal in their absence as their sight; and above all, untouched by that one sin of which you would convict me. To this day my flesh is virgin." Hippolytus is telling his father, Theseus, the truth and does so throughout the play. Similarly Oedipus' determination is for the good of the country. Oedipus' country is under a plague and he enumerates, "I fight in his defense as for my father, and I shall try all means to take the murderer of Lauis the son of Labdacus the son of Polydorus and before him of Cadmus and before him of Agenor. Those who do not obey me, may the gods grant no crops springing from the ground they plow nor children to their women!" Here, Oedipus is showing his persistence to finding the murderer Lauis. These strengths may seem worthy of recognition, but it is these strengths that lead to their downfall. The act of leaving their native home takes a toll on Medea and Oedipus. But for Abbie it was her love for Eben; and Hippolytus' pride caused him to fall hard. After leaving her home, Colchis, to marry Jason, she regrets her actions. Medea declares, "Oh, my father!
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Approximate Word count = 1210
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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