Character has the second place in importance. In a perfect tragedy, character will support plot, i.e., personal motivations will be intricately connected parts of the cause-and-effect chain of actions producing pity and fear in the audience. The protagonist should be renowned and prosperous, so his change of fortune can be from good to bad. This change “should come about as the result, not of vice, but of some great error or frailty in a character.”
How does Oedipus meet this definition of character in tragedy?
Oedipus meets this definition of character throughout his story. He, at the beginning is considered the hero of Thebes as he is trying to save his people from the plague. He lives a life in the lap of luxury and is someone who is looked up to. This does change throughout the play. His hubris takes control of him and he refuses to believe the things he is told. By the end, Oedipus is considered a man of great misfortune and is pitied. His wife, and also mother hangs herself, he blinds himself in fear, he can never see his children again, and he self banishes himself forever. It was his downfall from fortune to frailty.
ReplyDeleteOedipus meets the definition of a character in tragedy by searching for the truth about his past whether or not it was good or bad he wanted to know the truth. But when he found the truth he found out it was too much for him to bear and realizes the horrible things he has done. He also finds guilt in finding the truth since his mother committed suicide and his children were the product of incest which was too much for him so he blinded himself, exiled himself from Thebes, and laid down to die as a way to coup with his knowledge of the truth.
ReplyDeleteHe is seen as this mighty king, built up as a ruler that can save the kingdom. He pretty much creates the plot, consists of the plot. His cause and effects are all connected to him, seeing as the prophecy revolves around him.. And then eventually, he meets his demise, his fall from a mighty king to a self-banished "shepherd," almost.
ReplyDeleteOedipus meets all of these criteria for the definition of character. Once Oedipus hears his haunting prophecy from the blind fortune teller, he is forever effected. It puts Oedipus on a hunt for answers, which takes him to the unbearable truth. His motivation for the truth pushes along the plot, which reveals the true cause and effect to the audience. This leads the audience to feel pity and fear for our tragic hero. He goes from an honorable king to a sinful murderer atop a throne of lies and hideousness. This realization is all due to his tragic flaw: his desire to know the truth.
ReplyDeleteOedipus meets all of these criteria for the definition of character. Once Oedipus hears his haunting prophecy from the blind fortune teller, he is forever effected. It puts Oedipus on a hunt for answers, which takes him to the unbearable truth. His motivation for the truth pushes along the plot, which reveals the true cause and effect to the audience. This leads the audience to feel pity and fear for our tragic hero. He goes from an honorable king to a sinful murderer atop a throne of lies and hideousness. This realization is all due to his tragic flaw: his desire to know the truth.
ReplyDeleteOedipus starts from a place of power and respect. Oedipus' flaw is his search for the truth. Because his constant searching for the truth he finds out more than he can bear. The audience pities him because all he wanted was the truth and he was unaware in the mistakes he made. Oedipus was not a bad person or lack character, he just simply was in a bad situation.
ReplyDeleteOedipus is our protagonist in the story, and is a noble king for his town of Thebes. He tries his hardest to do what is best for his people, and does have a genuine good interest. As a baby, his real parents cast away him, because of the prophecy, and he grows up with who he believes to his real parents. Eventually he moves away from them, in order to protect them from the prophecy. The irony in this story, comes when he seeks the truth, and makes the grim realization that he did in fact kill his father, and marry his mother. We feel pity for Oedipus in the end, and the story completes a full cycle and catches back up by having Oedipus reach his destiny.
ReplyDeleteOedipus rules extravagantly. He is adored by his subjects for his gentle, yet firm leadership and is respected with ease. Oedipus was blissfully ignorantly as to his evil actions. He could have continued to ignorantly rule if he had not dug so deeply into his past. Oedipus is not a bad man. Oedipus was a victim of circumstance. His story is truly a great tragedy.
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