A hero by definition is a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. In literature the author almost always gives us a hero, also in art there is a superior figure. In Oedipus Rex by Sophocles there is a man that goes through obstacles through life not making him just another hero, but a recognisable hero. Oedipus because of high social status, not being a considerably bad nor good person, his arrogance, and his suffers is what makes him a tragic hero. As a consequence of high social status, Oedipus is rewarded with the title of a tragic hero. Oedipus shows high social status when he is talking to Teiresias. A quote that shows this is, “ Wealth, power, craft of statesmanship! Kingly positions everywhere admired!”(366-367). This shows that Oedipus is telling Teiresias about what he accomplished and how highly he thinks of …show more content…
When the second messenger describes how Oedipus found the queen it demonstrates Oedipus’s suffering. He says, “That were her ornament and raised them, and plunged them down straight into his own eyeballs, crying, “No more,”(1220-1221). This is an example of external suffering because he is inserting brooches into his eyes. While performing the act of suffering the king asks Choragos a question. A pitiful king says, “ Is there a sorrow greater?”(1260). This shows suffering because the king is referring to all of the horrific actions that he has developed. Oedipus is in misery as he begs Choragos for advice. When asking about redemption from his children he speaks the words, “ Or do you think my children, born as they were born, would be sweet to my eyes? Ah never, here! Nor this town with its high walls,” (1323-1324). This implies that he is not only disgusted in himself but also his children are disgusted with him because of Oedipus’s immoral actions . Hardship along with torment is why Oedipus is a tragic