The play Oedipus Rex is about a man named Oedipus who becomes a king of Thebes. This play is considered to be a classic Greek tragedy and throughout history, it has become to be known as a masterpiece. The play tells the story of Oedipus who unwittingly kills his father Laius and marries his own mother Jocasta which lands him the king. After becoming king Thebes was struck by a plague that was said to be because of the death of Laius, Oedipus’s father. Though against the wishes of the elders, Oedipus sets out to seek who killed his father, not knowing that it was himself who committed the crime. After learning the truth that it was he who killed his father, Oedipus gouges out his eyes and the plague lifts. Throughout this paper, I will discuss why I feel that it is Oedipus who is the tragic protagonist in the play and not Jocasta. …show more content…
One, the tragic hero is a man of noble stature with a greatness about him. The tragic hero is also good, though not perfect, and is fall results from his committing an act of injustice. The hero’s downfall is also said to be his own fault and is a result of his own free choice, not the result of from an accident. The hero’s misfortune is not wholly deserved, however, the tragic fall of the hero is not pure loss. Lastly, though the hero may be defeated, he at least has dared greatly, and he gains understanding from his defeat. Now that I have discussed what the tragic hero is I will explain why I feel the Oedipus is the tragic hero in the