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Hubris In Oedipus Rex

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Character
This passage of Oedipus Rex appears near the beginning of the play. Tiresias`s defensive statements occur shortly after Oedipus angers him with insulting language. This narration transpires shortly after Oedipus requests the name of Laius`s killer. Despite conversing with Tiresias in a civil, polite manner in the beginning, upon receiving denial in the form of riddles Oedipus reacts with an irrational rage. The anger that erupts inside Oedipus induces Tiresias`s condemning words that predict Oedipus’s downfall. This event emerges as a result of Oedipus’s hubris which leads to his demise. Tiresias`s lines in the passage reflects the derivation for which Oedipus`s fatal flaw, hubris, arises in his character through his comments, riddles, and sense of knowledge.
Tiresias`s response to Oedipus`s ignorance exhibits the conflict that arises between characters in the story once Oedipus`s hubris breaks through, “I say to you, the man whom you have looked for/ as you pronounced your curse, your decrees/ on the bloody death of Laius- he is here!”(3-4) Oedipus challenged Tiresias and his godly skill through insulting the very nature of his occupation. Responding to this with disbelief and frustration, Tiresias is provoked …show more content…

The prophet conveys the all-knowling knowledge that he possesses in the play. This same belief is held by Oedipus which thwarts him from acknowledging Tiresias`s intellect. Oedipus`s belief that he contains a proficient intellect and status over others leads to the condemnation of irrational actions. Oedipus blinds himself from seeing the knowledge and truth Tiresias embodies through believing his intellect is

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