11/3/2017 0 Comments The Tragedy of Oedipus It's no secret that Oedipus Rex is a tragic story. In fact, it is one of the most commonly thought of plays when the topic of tragedy is discussed. Perhaps it's the combination of the main character doing everything in his power to avoid his tragic fate, and the innocent lives that are forever changed by this horrible event. Whatever the factors of the tragedy are, it is plain for all to see that it is brutally heartbreaking. Oedipus Rex opens with everything seemingly going great for the beloved ruler of Thebes, Oedipus. He has recently saved the town from the Sphynx, and has been renowned as a hero. This is part of what makes the tragedy so raw. Everything completely changed for him, almost instantly, with no warning whatsoever. One moment, he's on top of the world, the next he's at the bottom of the hierarchy. The next part of what makes this play so tragic, without giving spoilers to the plot and twist of the story, is the fact that he is the one causing the city's troubles. I won't address what he has done; I will just say that it was prophesied. His mother, his father, and Oedipus himself all tried their best to keep this terrible prophecy from becoming a reality, yet it still happened. The most tragic aspect out of all of this is that where there was once hope, there is not any more. The harsh realization, the loss of this hope, is what is staggeringly awful and tragic. So, it is well established that Sophocles is a master of tragedy. Oedipus Rex is a never ending tirade of horrid event after horrid event. The loss of innocence, life, power, family, and dignity all wound up together in a nice little package. Because I do not want to spoil anything, I will not say anything more about this play, except that it is incredibly fun to read and a literary masterpiece.
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