Aristotle is a notable ancient Greek philosopher that has changed the world of theatre by defining the traits of a tragic hero. As Aristotle stated, “character determines men’s qualities, but their actions make them happy or the reverse.” The circumstances and qualities of a character make up what is a tragic hero. Aristotle determined that a tragic hero must have a flaw, a peripeteia, a discovery, hubris, and a fate far worse than the character deserves. In Oedipus The King, Sophocles composes Oedipus into Aristotle's definition of a tragic hero through his admirable qualities, suffering, and hamartia.
The admirable qualities that Oedipus posses constructs him into Aristotle’s view of a tragic hero. Oedipus is a powerful and courageous leader that as the citizens say, “outranked all men”(1320). According to the chorus, Oedipus “bent his bow to the breaking point and cultivated priceless glory” (1321-1322). Oedipus’
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Oedipus faces suffering when he discovers the truth that he has killed his father and slept with his mother. After being revealed the truth, Oedipus says, “I stand revealed at last- cursed in my birth, cursed in marriage, cursed in the lives I cut down cut down with these hands!” (1308-1310). The truth, which is too much for Oedipus to bear, forces him to gauge his eyes out and endure the physical and mental pain of not being able to see. Oedipus’ downfall and suffering is also reflected on by the chorus. The chorus illustrates how fragile life can be and simulates that fragility through Oedipus. The chorus says, “you are my great example, you your life your destiny, man of misery” (1317-1319). Not only is Oedipus faced with the awful truth, he is also faced with the disappointment that comes from his citizens. Oedipus’ suffering seen through his recognition of truth and the disappointment from his city formulates him into a piece of a tragic