Essay Archive - Tragedy in Oedipus Rex
Tragedy in Oedipus Rex
The Greek drama Oedipus Rex is clearly a tragedy. It definitely meets
the five main criteria for a tragedy: a tragic hero of noble birth, a
tragic flaw, a fall from grace, a moment of remorse, and catharsis.
Oedipus Rex clearly meets the first of these five criteria. Oedipus is
the son of Laius, who was king of Thebes. Even at the beginning of the
story, when we are told that Oedipus is the son of Polybus, he is still of
noble birth; Polybus is king of Corinth.
The tragic flaw, or mistake that a character makes, in Oedipus Rex does
not actually take place during the story. We only watch as Oedi....
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