„X Man does not control his own destiny/fateOedipus as a tragic hero.

„X Pride arrogance (characteristics)

Oedipus is seen as a tragic hero in the play, a principal character, in a position of social importance being the King of Thebes. His downfall is the result of incidents beyond his control, and is rather the result of fate. In Oedipus Rex, it is not so much a hamartia that leads to his downfall, but more the role played by fate and destiny. His characteristic flaws of pride and arrogance don't so much contribute to his downfall, but play more the role of hastening it. From birth, a prophecy existed that he would kill his father and marry his mother, and so his downfall seems inevitable. When Oedipus at a party hears that he may not be his fathers son, he yearns to know more. He finally hears "a tale of horror and misery" about how he must marry his mother and kill his father. Through his suffering, he gains more and more knowledge. In a similar way Laius tried to manipulate fate by having Oedipus's feet pierced and ankled together and sending a messenger to leave him on a moun

until the day he carries his happiness to the grave in peace."

The role of fate and destiny, and the impact of the prophecy is further seen when the reward for the person who destroys the pestilence brought on by the riddling sphinx is Jocasta, Laius's wife and Oedipus's mothers, hand in marriage. Oedipus being the person who solves the riddle is clearly a result of the role of fate. The danger of fate is shown by the comments the chorus make towards the end "and let no man be called happy

Some common words found in the essay are:
Oedipus Rex, Greeks Gods, Polybus Merope, Creon Teiresias, Jocasta Laius's, Discuss Oedipus, Teiresias Teiresias, King Thebes, tragedy oedipus, rash nature, killing father, blindness truth, leaving corinth, putting stars corinth, stars corinth, role fate, gods fate, fled putting, ancient greeks, escape fate leaving, fled putting stars, portraying killer enemy,
Approximate Word count = 1259
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)