Discussion on Oedipus Rex as the Tragic Hero

Oedipus Rex as the Ideal Tragic Hero of Aristotle was published in 1992 in The Classical Weekly and it has been written by Barstow Marjorie. In this journal article, Barstow argues that according to the standards of Aristotle, Oedipus Rex is one of the true examples of tragic heroes. The author argues that if the reader sympathises with the protagonist, there is no doubt that the hero or Oedipus Rex meets the requirements of a tragedy. It serves to arouse pity and fear but modern readers must surrender themselves to the emotional appeal or else, they would not be able to understand the tragedy. It is determined by Aristotle that happiness is the end of human struggles and endeavour. As it has been discovered by Aristotle, happiness does not result from fortunate gifts but from a comprehensive and steady intellectual vision which serves to view life steadily and studies every aspect.

With the list of this vision, just balance is preserved by a wise man among his natural instincts and impulses. Therefore, he possesses an inward happiness which cannot be disturbed or shaken. In addition to it, he achieves external prosperity as well because other things equal, sensible people are successful and misfortune is generally due because of insufficient prudence and knowledge.

Meanwhile, tragic hero is a person who is ineffective in achieving happiness and he fails in such a way that his tale causes people to experience pity and fear. The author says that when the character of Oedipus is analysed, it is discovered that despite soul’s natural greatness, he is actually the antithesis of the ideal man characterised by Aristotle. For instance, he does not have a clear vision which allows him to evaluate every single aspect of a matter. He also does not have a calm wisdom. In fact, Oedipus assesses only one side of an aspect and that assessment is also wrong. Thus, he acts on wrong assumptions. Actually, his purposes and emotions are good. Even his errors and flaws have generosity which develops sympathy and pity. According to Aristotle, a tragic hero is imperfect, and that is Oedipus is and he is not capable of achieving happiness.

Actually, the Sophocles’s play is concerned with different situations and complications of the mistakes of a rash hero. What make Oedipus a tragic hero is when an old Herdsman erases his confusions. In the final act of energy, Oedipus gouges his eyes out and demands an execution. In accordance with Sophocles, this is the end of a decent and great-souled person who also had gifts of nature. Aristotle determines that crimes which are committed in ignorance are most effective in arousing pity. The oracles like the source of fatalism seems to have a tri-fold function. For instance, they have a significant share in the irony for which Oedipus is famous. In fact, they work as a stimulus for setting the nature of hero in motion without determining whether the direction will be wrong or right.

As it has been explained above, according to Aristotle, a wise person is the one who attains happiness in every aspect of life, mainly because he analyses each and every aspect of his life. Meanwhile, in Oedipus Rex, the protagonist has completely reverse characteristics. What serves to make Oedipus a tragic hero is that all the mistakes that he had made were in ignorance and when he truly came to understand his actions, he requested execution. It indicates that Oedipus was never a bad person in the first place but he still experienced doom (Barstow, 1912).

References of Oedipus Rex as the Tragic Hero

Barstow, M. (1912). Oedipus Rex as the ideal tragic hero of Aristotle. The Classical Weekly, 6(1), 2-4.