Summary:
Examines the play Oedipus the King by Sophocles. Describes how Oedipus fits a model of how tragic heroes generally were characterized. References Aristotle.
Tragedies have been written, told, and acted out for a number of years. Aristotle defined in his book, Poetics that a tragedy is to arouse the emotions of pity, fear, and finally a catharsis, or purging of emotions. A tragic play that perfectly completes this cycle of emotions is Oedipus the King by Sophocles. This play follows a king of the town of Thebes through his journey of the emotions of pity, fear, and finally a catharsis. It is a tale of a man who unknowingly kills his father and fathers the children of his mother as well. The audience is pulled into the play and experiences the plot along with Oedipus.
The emotion of pity enters the play right from the beginning. First, it is Oedipus who feels pity for his people and their plight......
This is a free excerpt of 135 words. There are 1,007 words (approx.
3 pages at 300 words per page) in the full essay.
Read the rest of this Essay with our Oedipus as a Tragic Hero Access Pass.
