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That no character and no event goes unrelated to Oedipus' ultimate downfall is a reason why "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.) is considered as the most perfect tragic play.

Specifically, the people and places link to ultimately shake Theban King Oedipus from his illusion of personal happiness and professional success. For example, he learns that nothing that he thinks true of himself and his parentage is true. Likewise, he discovers that his panic-stricken choices of free will serve to make all the more inevitable his prophesied fate as the killer of his own father, the husband of his own mother, and the half-sibling of his own children.

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Q: Why is 'Oedipus Rex' considered the most perfect tragic play?
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Is Jocasta a tragic hero in 'Oedipus Rex'?

No, Jocasta is not a tragic hero, but she is a tragic character in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, a hero is the main character, the holder of great powers, and the doer of great deeds. The tragic hero comes to an unfortunate end, usually through a character flaw or a flawed personality. Jocasta cannot be described as the main character, the holder of great powers or the doer of great deeds. But she can be described as tragic character whose life takes an unfortunate turn and ends most miserably.


How is Oedipus' tragic flaw his most admirable quality carried to the extreme?

Theban King Oedipus' tragic flaws are his pride and his passion. He's proud of his ability to find solutions to problems. Carried to the extreme, his pride tends to convince him of the pointlessness of alternative strategies, plans and options.The King likewise is proud of his ability to care about others, of his passionate nature of his beliefs and convictions. In the beginning of 'Oedipus Rex', he appears to have his feelings under control. But his feelings and his passions become more uncontrollable as the play's action progresses. Carried to the extreme, Oedipus' passionate nature travels a one-way street and allows for no reversals.


What would you expect a tragic hero to display?

In his "Poetics," Aristotle explains that a tragic hero is going to evoke in the viewer (or spectator) either great pity or great fear, due to the tragic circumstances in which the hero is involved. Such heroes will occupy noble or otherwise prominent positions in life or society and, most importantly, will contribute to their own downfall through a personal flaw of some kind. For example, the tragic hero, Oedipus, had the tragic flaw of pride (perhaps also a severe temper).


What horrible thing does the oracle claim that Oedipus will do in 'Oedipus Rex'?

That he will kill his father and marry his mother are the horrible things that the oracle claims that Oedipus will do in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, it is the Delphic oracle that speaks to Oedipus of these horrible things. This oracle is located at Delphi and is considered the most famous and most respected oracle in ancient Greece. What the Delphic oracle says therefore tends to be taken seriously, and Oedipus does what any really frightened person does: He runs.


What are the literary elements in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Sophocles included many literary devices that helped tell the story. The most used literary device in the play is dramatic irony. Another literary device used by Sophocles is characterization. In Oedipus the King, Sophocles used characterization to portray Oedipus as the tragic hero. A third literary device used in the play is flashback, which is where the story switches from the present to an event that occurred in the past.

Related questions

Is Jocasta a tragic hero in 'Oedipus Rex'?

No, Jocasta is not a tragic hero, but she is a tragic character in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, a hero is the main character, the holder of great powers, and the doer of great deeds. The tragic hero comes to an unfortunate end, usually through a character flaw or a flawed personality. Jocasta cannot be described as the main character, the holder of great powers or the doer of great deeds. But she can be described as tragic character whose life takes an unfortunate turn and ends most miserably.


What is the comparative and superlative of tragic?

more tragic, most tragic


How is Oedipus' tragic flaw his most admirable quality carried to the extreme?

Theban King Oedipus' tragic flaws are his pride and his passion. He's proud of his ability to find solutions to problems. Carried to the extreme, his pride tends to convince him of the pointlessness of alternative strategies, plans and options.The King likewise is proud of his ability to care about others, of his passionate nature of his beliefs and convictions. In the beginning of 'Oedipus Rex', he appears to have his feelings under control. But his feelings and his passions become more uncontrollable as the play's action progresses. Carried to the extreme, Oedipus' passionate nature travels a one-way street and allows for no reversals.


What would you expect a tragic hero to display?

In his "Poetics," Aristotle explains that a tragic hero is going to evoke in the viewer (or spectator) either great pity or great fear, due to the tragic circumstances in which the hero is involved. Such heroes will occupy noble or otherwise prominent positions in life or society and, most importantly, will contribute to their own downfall through a personal flaw of some kind. For example, the tragic hero, Oedipus, had the tragic flaw of pride (perhaps also a severe temper).


What horrible thing does the oracle claim that Oedipus will do in 'Oedipus Rex'?

That he will kill his father and marry his mother are the horrible things that the oracle claims that Oedipus will do in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, it is the Delphic oracle that speaks to Oedipus of these horrible things. This oracle is located at Delphi and is considered the most famous and most respected oracle in ancient Greece. What the Delphic oracle says therefore tends to be taken seriously, and Oedipus does what any really frightened person does: He runs.


Why is 'Oedipus Rex' tragic?

The adjective 'tragic' refers to an unhappy ending or outcome. The play 'Oedipus Rex' indeed has an unhappy ending, in which there are unhappy outcomes for a number of people. For example, Theban Queen Jocasta commits suicide upon realizing that a most horrible of fates comes to pass despite her efforts to the contrary. Theban King Oedipus loses his wife, his sight, his reputation, his possessions, his job, and his home. This is the price of his albeit unknowing acts of killing his father and his sovereign, and of wedding and bedding his own mother.Additionally, the city of Thebes loses a monarch who truly cares for their welfare. And Oedipus' children lose their chances for happy lives. Oedipus curses his own twin sons, Eteocles and Polyneices. Oedipus' daughters Antigone and Ismene always will be looking over their shoulder regarding their unenviable status as the children of a murderous father and of incestuous parents.


What are the literary elements in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Sophocles included many literary devices that helped tell the story. The most used literary device in the play is dramatic irony. Another literary device used by Sophocles is characterization. In Oedipus the King, Sophocles used characterization to portray Oedipus as the tragic hero. A third literary device used in the play is flashback, which is where the story switches from the present to an event that occurred in the past.


When and where was the most tragic tornado in Edinburgh?

the most tragic tornado in edinburgh was in 1813 and it was in the neigborhood of inglewood.


Who wrote over 100 plays and most famous work was Oedipus the king?

Oedipus Rex (Oedipus the King) was written by Sophocles.


Why is Apollo mentioned so early in 'Oedipus Rex'?

That he is the god of prophecy is the reason why Apollo is mentioned so early in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the play deals with the tragic attempts of Theban monarchs Jocasta, Laius and Oedipus to escape prophecies of unenviable fates. Apollo the sun god also is in charge of prophecy. He makes prophecies available at his shrines, of which the most famous is the oracular shrine at Delphi.


What is Oedipus most famous for in 'Oedipus Rex'?

It is for defeating the Sphinx that Oedipus is most famous in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Oedipus arrives at Thebes in the city's worst hours. A Sphinx camps outside and asks an impossible riddle upon pain of death. Oedipus figures out the answer and rids Thebes of the city's serial eater.


A great tragedy written by sophocles is?

One of the most famous tragedies written by Sophocles is "Oedipus Rex." This play tells the story of a king who unknowingly fulfills a prophecy by killing his father and marrying his mother, leading to his own tragic downfall. It explores themes of fate, free will, and the consequences of hubris.