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Oedipus Tragic Flaw Essay

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In the play Oedipus rex, Oedipus' tragic flaw is his prophecy. His prophecy leads him to becoming a tragic hero because whatever action he does to prevent his downfall will only allow it to play out. This brings misfortune to not only him, but his people too. The idea of this is supported when an oracle tells Oedipus he is going to kill his father and marry his mother. This is his tragic flaw. One of the effects of his tragic flaw is the plague that strikes thebes. The gods tell Oedipus that the reason for the plague is because King Laio's death was never avenged and the killer was never found. The play states ”Being as he is corrupted to us: the Delphic Voice of Zeus has pronounced this revelation. Thus I associate myself with the oracle and take the side of the murdered king.” (Sophocles 13-14) However Oedipus does not know that he is the cause of the plague. In order for the plague to stop, Oedipus would have to leave thebes. Oedipus is the one to blame because he is, in fact, Laio’s killer. …show more content…

Oedipus slowly comes to the realization that he killed Laios. However, it is not until later in the story when he figures out that Laios is his father. Oedipus says “Oh never to have come here with my fathers blood upon me!” (Sophocles 73) This is when Oedipus realizes that the prophecies are true. This is also when Oedipus starts to fit the tragic hero archetype. This is Oedipus' downfall from being a great king and hero to a tragic

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