Essay on "Oedipus a Tragic Hero"
Essay 3 pages (1173 words) Sources: 1
[EXCERPT] . . . .
Oedipus a Tragic HeroThe Tragic Hero: Oedipus, the King
One of the greatest Greek tragedies of all times, Sophocles' Oedipus Rex, ends with the following lines: "Therefore wait to see life's ending ere thou count one mortal blest; / Wait till free from pain and sorrow he has gained his final rest."(Sophocles, 142) These lines represent the gist of the tragedy. The Chorus emphasizes thus, in a few words, some of the quintessential creeds of the ancient Greeks: the fact that human condition in itself is tragic and that the individual is a feeble plaything in the hands of the mighty, inexorable destiny. Oedipus is thus constructed as a tragic hero, an inverted image of the myth hero, to exemplify the cruelty and tragedy of the human condition on earth. There are a few obvious tokens in the text of the tragedy that point to Oedipus trajectory as being that of a tragic hero rather than a common mythological one. First of all, Oedipus has the exceptional qualities and strengths of a myth hero, yet all these turn to be weaknesses in the end and they do not prevent his ultimate downfall. Then, the hero commits some of the most horrible sins of humanity out of an error of judgment, a flaw that is at once human and inevitable. Lastly, Oedipus follows the steps of a myth hero, but his achievements do not lead to triumph but rather to a defeat.
Oedipus has the same characteristics as any other notable myth hero. What makes him a tragic hero is the fact that his greatness does not prevent him from failing and being terrible defeated. The path he follows in life is bitterly ironic, since he strives to act justly and he achieves all the victories that would be achiev
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Quoted Instructions for "Oedipus a Tragic Hero" Assignment:
Here are some imperatives the teacher requested. Do not use the word "I" or "We" "You" use only he, she, they, one. Never retell the story, do not switch verb tenses unnecessarily. Double space lines and indent.
I. Introductory Paragraph: A. Attract the reader's attention with an interesting opening: 1. Ask a question, or 2. State a fact, or 3. use a quotation. B. State your thesis (usually taken from the question asked). C. Divide you topic into three main points and state those in a few sentences to complete your introduction.
II. Body of the essay (three paragraphs)
A. First characteristics of the hero: topic sentence
1. Discuss the trait.
2. Support your discussion with references to the drama.
3. Make sure that each body paragraph has at least two specific examples from the drama to support your argument.
4. Conclude each paragraph by summing u your point.
B. Second characteristic of the hero: Topic sentence + same structure as above.
C. Third characteristic of the hero: Topic Sentence + same structure as above.
III. Concluding Paragraph
A. Bring together the ideas you have been developing.
B. Show how they prove the thesis.
C. Leave the reader with a general thought on drama, the author, etc.
How to Reference "Oedipus a Tragic Hero" Essay in a Bibliography
“Oedipus a Tragic Hero.” A1-TermPaper.com, 2008, https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/oedipus-tragic-hero/33492. Accessed 5 Oct 2024.
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