The Hubris of Oedipus in Oedipus the King Essay - 1865 Words

Hubris is defined by the Webster-Miriam dictionary as â€Å"Exaggerated pride or confidence† (Miriam-Webster Dictionary) in Oedipus the King, by Sophocles, In Oedipus The King, by Sophocles, the onslaught of pain assailing the protagonist is a result of his tragic flaw. Sophocles often used a characters’ flaw to alter or influence the outcome or future of the hero. Oedipus hubris influences him to fulfill the oracle and further intensify his punishment from the Gods. Oedipus pride is an essential characteristic throughout the play. Even before Oedipus came into power as the King of Thebes he allowed his arrogance to control his judgment and reign over his actions. Oblivious to his knowledge, Oedipus fulfills Apollos oracle when he†¦show more content†¦621 ln. 149-150) after Creon tells him why they stopped searching for Laius’s killer. Dramatic irony is present when Oedipus tries to skirt the horrible prophecy of him killing his father and coupling with his mother, because in fleeing Corinth to avoid murdering Polybus, he is actually taking the correct path to fulfill the prophecy. Again his overconfidence and pride contributes to his impending doom; in believing that he has outwitted the gods he challenges his fate. Although he has enough reverence to the deities not to assume himself to be an equal with the gods, but greater than them it is clear through the word usage that Oedipus perceives himself to be of a greater importance than the lesser mortals that surround him â€Å"One of you summon the city here before us, tell them I’ll do everything. God help us, we will see our triumph-or our fall† (p. 621 ln. 163-165). He is conceited to think that he can shape his own destiny and the gods punish him for this arrogance. Once Oedipus is made aware of the dire situation in Thebes he responsibly, but paternalistically assumes to be the savior, even though as David McDonald states, â€Å"The Messenger’s attem pt to bring good news brings disaster†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (McDonald, pg. 148) Oedipus dialogue, Oh my children, the new blood of ancient Thebes, why are you here? Huddling at my altar, praying before me†¦ (p. 617 ln. 1-4) suggests that Oedipus feels highly regarded, almost a divinity. In addressing hisShow MoreRelatedEssay on Oedipus the King: The Hubris of Oedipus1681 Words   |  7 Pages Oedipus the King written by Sophocles, is a powerful Greek tragedy story. The protagonist, Oedipus is a heroic mythical king who had it all. Oedipus pursues to find the true answers to his identity and destiny, while at the same time trying to avoid fulfilling his destiny. Oedipus the King was introduced around 429 B.C.E. in Athens. This was Sophocles most celebrated play. 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ThroughoutRead MoreThe Perfect Aristotelian Tragedy: Sophocles Oedipus the King918 Words   |  4 Pagesconsidered Sophocles Oedipus the King to be a nearly perfect example of Greek tragedy. His reasons were based on the structural perfection of the play, in which the protagonists recognition of his circumstances (anagnorisis) comes at the same moment as his reversal of fortune (peripeteia). But the terms whereby Aristotle defines character in Greek tragedy are slightly harder to work out where is the hubris of Oedipus? An examination of the plot will demonstrate that Oedipus hubris is manifest in the