How Sophocles’ Oedipus Exemplifies Aristotle’s Definition of a Tragic Hero
How Sophocles’ Oedipus Exemplifies Aristotle’s Definition of a Tragic Hero
Introduction
Aristotle’s analysis of an ideal literary work is significant to date. According to Aristotle, the best way to create a plot of a literary text is through the plot. Aristotle best criteria of creating a plot involved creation of a “tight nexus of ignorance, Harmatia, reversal recognitions then knowledge. Following through these elements of creating a plot enables one to create a realistic illustration of real-life experiences. An ideal tragic story should exude tragic pleasure. The ability to create a plot that does not disrupt the sequence of events ensures that readers do not experience emotional distancing (Finkelberg, 2006; 64). Aristotle also introduces the element of a tragic hero as a vial character in any literary text.
This paper reviews Sophocles’ Oedipus with an analysis of whether the play exemplifies or refutes Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero. The Play on Oedipus is a tragic tale of a character that kills his father and marries his mothers. These acts are immoral, but the main character, Oedipus was unaware of relations with his “wife” and the man he murdered. His actions indirectly lead to anguish and suffering for him, his family and the nation. Sophocles Oedipus thus is a play that exemplifies Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero.
Aristotle’s and a Tragic Hero
A tragic hero is an individual of noble characters whose downfall or destruction is for a greater cause. According to Aristotle “tragedy is an imitation of an action of high importance… acted by means of pity and fear effecting its purgation” (Sophocles, 856). Aristotle also describes a tragic hero as an individual of noble birth who exhibits certain flaws that lead to his downfall. This is a situation that Aristotle refers to as Harmatia. Aristotle also indicates that a true tragic hero also experiences peripeteia. This is a situation where there occurs a reversal of fortunes as a result of the hero’s flaws. The tragic hero also engages in activities that increase self-awareness and knowledge. Ultimately, the readers pity and sometimes fear for the hero. Other than a tragic hero, there are other types of heroes that can be found in a play.
McKinney, Ronald reviews Aristotle’s description of a comic hero. Just like a tragic hero a comic hero also finds himself with a mistake. However, the mistake found in a comic hero differs from the mistake of a tragic hero. According to McKinney (1998) “mistakes from comic characters do not cause real harm to others” (McKinney, 1998, p387). In reality, a mistake caused by a comic hero results to embarrassment. In contrast, a mistake by a tragic hero leads not only to his downfall, but also negatively affects those around him. While comparing a comic hero and a tragic hero, Aristotle indicates that comic heroes are trivial characters as they selectively choose what actions to undertake so as to elicit emotions of laughter from the readers/audience. This is contrast to the tragic hero who is realistic and goes about his task without selecting events that will exude specific feelings from the readers or audience. Aristotle trivializes comic heroes as characters “worthy of ridicule and contempt” (McKinney, 1998, 389)
Oedipus as a Tragic Hero
Oedipus is depicted as a hero with god-like qualities. The people worship him. The people of Thebes for instance believe that Oedipus ascended to the throne through God’s guidance. The people of Thebes hold Oedipus high turning to him for advice and guidance. Just like Oedipus, they are oblivious of his past events that their implication to their lives and for the life of Oedipus. Sophocles play Oedipus exemplifies Aristotle definition of a tragic hero. Oedipus is not only a king but an individual of noble character Oedipus actions set the pace for his fate. Oedipus is the cause of things happening around him and in his life. Oedipus life falls apart, though his fate is undeserved. When discussing the issues of fate, it is vital to discuss the element of motion. According to Kosman (1969), motion “is the actualization of what potentially is” (Kosman, 1969, p40). Oedipus actions set in motion the tragic events that engulf his life.
Oedipus suffers the consequences of his actions in several ways. First, he forces Teiresias to reveal his destiny as well as his father’s name. Teiresias tries to evade the questions and eventually warns Oedipus against forcing his to reveal those details. Teiresias says “I say you and your most dearly loved are wrapped together in a hideous sin… (Sophocles, 428). Oedipus determined to find the truth insists and proceeds to question Teiresias further. Teiresias finally reveals the truth to Oedipus. He states “you are the murderer of the king whose murderer you seek” (Sophocles, 441). This is a truth that Teiresias had struggled to keep from Oedipus, but due to Oedipus persistence, he eventually learned the truth.
Aristotle also introduces the element of recognition. He describes recognition as process of anagnorisis where a character makes a revelation that he was not familiar with before. In most instances, the tragic hero will stumble on a revelation that will lead to making him make a discovery of his true identity. Oedipus exemplifies in a tragic hero in this instance, after his identity was revealed to him. Oedipus realize that he was the child that his mother had given away to be destroyed. Aristotle mentions that when the tragic hero experiences a revelation, they go into reversal. A reversal according to Aristotle is “an action that turns out to have the opposite effect from the one the doer intended” (Sophocles, 857).
When Oedipus discovers that he was the child that his mother had given away, he suffers a reversal of his misfortunes. He goes blind; he is dethroned and goes into exile. Another scenario of reversal or peripety is when a messenger is sent to cheer up Oedipus. A prophet had declared that Oedipus would kill his father and marry his mothers. This prophecy haunted Oedipus greatly. In an effort to cheer his up, a messenger brings Oedipus the news nullifying the prophesy, could not be true as his father had died of old age. This information was untrue, and the reversal was that old Polybus was not Oedipus biological father. When it is revealed that Polybus is not Oedipus biological father, Oedipus becomes fearful and concerned.
Oedipus also exemplifies his character as the tragic hero in his quest to find who killed king Laios. He states “if any man knows by whose hand Laios, son of Labdakos met his death; I direct them to tell me everything” (Sophocles, 866). The city had been plagued by drought for many years and prophet Teiresias had declared that the drought would end only if the murder of Kind Laios is found. Oedipus determined to find the killer makes rules a declaration regarding the unknown killer.
He forbids anyone with informing regarding the killer from keeping quiet. He also forbids citizens from housing the killer. Unfortunately, his declaration turn against him when the prophet reveals that it is he (Oedipus) that killed the King. In denial, Oedipus demonstrates his arrogance and pride. He states “here I am, myself, world famous Oedipus, have you no shame”? (Sophocles, 887) Oedipus was making these statements after it was disclosed that he killed King Laios. Oedipus was certain that he was too great and spectacular to have been the murderer of the king which led to the drought and plague that led to the suffering of the citizens. Gradually, Oedipus realizes that he murdered his father and married his mother resulting to the curse in the city. Oedipus suffers after this realization. However, he is not to blame for killing his biological father and married his biological mothers.
Having been given away at birth, he grew up with the knowledge that Old Polybus was his father. In Oedipus scenario, his ignorance did not lead to bliss, but untold suffering to his citizens and also to himself after it his true identity was revealed. It is inevitable for readers to pity Oedipus; he goes to great lengths to find the murderer of king Laios in an effort to end the curse on his land. Unfortunately, his quest leads him to a self destructive discovery that results to pain and suffering.
Another scenario that exemplifies Aristotle as the tragic hero is when Oedipus chooses to run from his apparent birth parents and build his own kingdom. His actions and decision led his to a journey of self destruction though he was not aware of it. Had Oedipus chose to stay with his “parents” in Corinth, he would not have discovered that they were never his biological parents. Oedipus would also not have entered to a forbidden union with his mother. Similarly, he would not have killed his father in the quest to amass the kingdom. From this perspective, Oedipus is solely responsible for his own actions and the problems that befell him later (Bowman, n/d, 20).
According to Bowman Oedipus actions led to a curse on his sons. Oedipus moves from a refugee to a hero and sets the path for a curse to his sons. He uses his power to curse his sons by killing his father and marrying his mother. The element of tragic hero comes to play in this setting as Oedipus was unaware of the consequences of his actions. Whereas ancient sources vary in terms of determining the cause of the curse, it was a fact that Oedipus sons had been cursed. According to Bowman, some ancient sources indicate that Oedipus cursed his sons because “they served him wine in Cadmus drinking cup…other argue that the gods compelled Oedipus to pass on the curse of Laios” (Bowman, n/d, 17). Another ancient source indicates that Oedipus cursed his sons after discovering their “incestuous origin”. Once again, one cannot help but pit Oedipus; he had sired very healthy sons with his lovely wife only to discover that they were incestuous as the wife was actually his mother. Oedipus finds himself in a predicament that leaves the readers empathizing and pitying the main character.
After Oedipus realizes that he killed his father and married his mother and sired children, he is distraught and harms himself by self-inflicting his blindness. Oedipus acknowledges his actions as wrong and he claims “how could I bear to see, when all my sight was horror everywhere” (Sophocles, 892). Readers are at a loss of whether to pity Oedipus or to rejoice as justice had been served. On one hand, Oedipus situation presents a situation of what Aristotle calls Harmatia. This is a scenario where a character commits and offense in ignorance. Oedipus was amorally Good person who was adored by his subjects. Unfortunately, he committed one grievous error that culminated to his destruction and downfall. He killed his father and married his mothers. His children were thus his brothers and his sons. On a face level, Oedipus actions are inexcusable; however, he is not to blame as he was unaware that he had been adopted.
Conclusion
Sophocles’ Oedipus is a paper that exemplifies Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero. Oedipus story is a classic tragedy with all the characteristics that Aristotle mentions. First, there is the case of Harmatia, where the main character, Oedipus, unknowingly murders his father and takes his mother as wife. It is Oedipus inquisitiveness that leads to knowledge and realization of the truth. Oedipus inquisitive nature turns out to be his fatal flaw that leads him to unravel the facts about his birth and his parents. In Oedipus there also occurs a situation of peripeteia where Oedipus falls from gracefulness to shame after discovering his incestuous relationship. The play also elicits a feeling of Catharsis in which readers sympathize with Oedipus situation.
Reference
Bowman, L. (n/d). The curse of Oedipus in Oedipus at Colonus. Department of Greek and Roman studies.15-25
Finkelberg, M. (2006). Aristotle and episodic tragedy. Greece and Rome. Vol. 53(1); 60-72
Kosman, L. (1969). Aristotle’s definition of motion. Phronesis. Vol. 14(1); 40-62
McKinney, R. (1998). Aristotle and the comic Hero. Moral Imagination. Philosophy today. Vol. 42(4); 386- 392
Ritter, P. (2005). Oedipus. Variety. Jan 31-Feb 6; 60
Sophocles. Oedipus the King. 860-905
Sophocles. The Theater of Sophocles. Chapter 33; 853-859
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