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The most widely accepted interpretation is that Oedipus' flaw was not intelligence but rather hubris, or excessive pride. When he heard the prophecy of the fate the gods had in store for him, Oedipus attempted to escape this fate. In the ancient Greek mentality, this idea that a mere mortal could avoid the path the gods had determined he follow, is the ultimate statement of pride. The Greek gods were thought to be infallible, and by necessity anything they said of course would be inevitably true. Oedipus should not have been so proud as to think that he could go against the will of the gods. And so it is his attempt to avoid the fate laid out for him that led him straight to his prophesied end. If he had accepted the word of the gods and remained with his foster parents instead of traveling, he never would have met his father at a crossroads and killed him in a quarrel, nor would he have ever met, much less wedded, his biological mother.

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What is Oedipus' tragic flaw?

Oedipus' tragic flaw is his intelligence. A tragic flaw is connected to the characters "excellence" and leads to creation and self-discovery, but to destruction as well. It was through his intelligence that he gained greatness and became king by solving the riddle of the Sphinx. Yet his intelligence paired with arrogance and metaphorical blindness leads to his destruction when it drives him to search for the truth. His tragic flaw was curiosity. As his kingdom was "dying", he couldn't just sit aside and let it happen he had to go in search of what caused it no matter what the consequence. His need to find the truth (and help his people) was what led to his eminent downfall.


What are Oedipus' tragic flaw?

It is his pride.


What is Oedipus's fatal flaw?

Oedipus's fatal flaw are his quality traits. Some examples are his arrogance, ignorance of not knowing of what he has done, and curiosity for finding out the truth. These things create his fatal flaw which lead to his fate.


What is Oedipus tragic flaw with evidence in Oedipus Rex?

Oedipus basically had what in the greek language was called hubris...its the tragic flaw of arrogance...throughout the play, it is evident that Oedipus thinks highly of himself (and this is brought up many times in conversation with Tiresias.) Another flaw Oedipus had was being overly determined to find out this truth of his identity, this inevitably causes his downfall


What is hamarita?

Hamartia is the Aristotelian term for a literary character's "fatal flaw" which is really more of a mistake than a personal flaw. For example, in the play Oedipus the King, Oedipus' flaw is a lack of knowledge about his true identity, which in the end leads him to murder his father and marry his mother.

Related Questions

What is Oedipus' tragic flaw?

Oedipus' tragic flaw is his intelligence. A tragic flaw is connected to the characters "excellence" and leads to creation and self-discovery, but to destruction as well. It was through his intelligence that he gained greatness and became king by solving the riddle of the Sphinx. Yet his intelligence paired with arrogance and metaphorical blindness leads to his destruction when it drives him to search for the truth. His tragic flaw was curiosity. As his kingdom was "dying", he couldn't just sit aside and let it happen he had to go in search of what caused it no matter what the consequence. His need to find the truth (and help his people) was what led to his eminent downfall.


What are Oedipus' tragic flaw?

It is his pride.


What is Oedipus's fatal flaw?

Oedipus's fatal flaw are his quality traits. Some examples are his arrogance, ignorance of not knowing of what he has done, and curiosity for finding out the truth. These things create his fatal flaw which lead to his fate.


What is Oedipus tragic flaw with evidence in Oedipus Rex?

Oedipus basically had what in the greek language was called hubris...its the tragic flaw of arrogance...throughout the play, it is evident that Oedipus thinks highly of himself (and this is brought up many times in conversation with Tiresias.) Another flaw Oedipus had was being overly determined to find out this truth of his identity, this inevitably causes his downfall


What is hamarita?

Hamartia is the Aristotelian term for a literary character's "fatal flaw" which is really more of a mistake than a personal flaw. For example, in the play Oedipus the King, Oedipus' flaw is a lack of knowledge about his true identity, which in the end leads him to murder his father and marry his mother.


What would Aristotle say caused the fall of Oedipus from a position of power in 'Oedipus Rex'?

of his hamartia, or tragic flaw.


What kind of role does Hamartia play in 'Oedipus'?

Hamartia is Oedipus' tragic flaw. His tragic flaw is his hubris, or his excessive pride. and in the end it leads to his downfall. He utters a curse condemning Laius's killer.


Why does Oedipus have hubris in 'Oedipus Rex'?

That it is a typical flaw in heroes is why Oedipus shows pride in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, a hero shows himself to be powerful among humans through the great deeds that he does. It therefore is understandable how a hero's flaw tends to be pride, in a job well done. Oedipus is confident of his abilities and thinks that he can do just about anything, from outsmarting the monstrous Sphinx to escaping a divinely ordained fate. This is pride.


What is the significance of Oedipus in the prologue in Oedipus the king?

It throws light on the character of Oedipus as : 1.AS a king. 2.Intelligence. 3. His Pride 4.His determination. That's why it is important BY Barirah.


Using Aristotle's terms when Oedipus falls from a position of power in the play Oedipus the King it's because?

Oh, dude, when Oedipus falls from power in "Oedipus the King," it's because of his tragic flaw, like Aristotle says. He's got this whole complex about killing his dad and marrying his mom, which is a total no-go in ancient Greece. So yeah, it's like a classic case of self-sabotage, you know?


What is Oedipus' pride and integrity in 'Oedipus Rex'?

It is his intelligence, problem-solving and word of honor that is Oedipus' pride and integrity in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus demonstrates intelligence in defeating the Sphinx. He evidences problem-solving abilities in organizing the investigation of King Laius' murder. He is committed to carrying out his word to end problems and help his people in his beloved city of Thebes.


When does Oedipus realize his flaw in 'Oedipus Rex'?

It is in hearing about his true parentage that Oedipus realizes his flaw in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, his panic-stricken decision making is Theban King Oedipus' flaw. It is evidenced when he decides to run away instead of confronting his presumed parents about his true parentage and his prophesied fate. It is expressed when he decides to respond with lethal force to a bullying older version of himself at the intersection of the fateful Delphi-Daulia crossroads in Phocis. It is found when he decides to marry a beautiful woman old enough to be his mother. It is revealed when he receives the news that Queen Jocasta is his biological mother. It is both validated and atoned for when he decides to blind himself for his murderous crimes and his immoral behavior.