Oedipus the King is full of common literary elements that are important for students to explore. One of the more important elements is that of the tragic hero. This is a protagonist who is typically of noble birth and seems to be ill-fated and destined for doom. In this play, it is clear that Oedipus fits this description, as he is lead to his tragic ending.
The Greek philosopher, Aristotle, first articulated the specific attributes or principles of a tragic hero. In fact, he said Oedipus the King was the perfect example of a tragedy. For the storyboard above, students can use a template to storyboard the qualities that make Oedipus, a tragic hero. The finished product outlines each of Aristotle's principles with a detailed explanation of the specific attributes.
| ATTRIBUTE | DESCRIPTION | Example from Oedipus Rex |
|---|---|---|
| Hamartia | Hero's Flaw that Causes Downfall | Oedipus’ ignorance of his parenthood, combined with his anger, pride, and determination leads him to discover the horror of his past actions. |
| Hubris | Excessive Pride | He believed that could defy prophecy and Tiresias’s warnings. |
| Peripeteia | Reversal of Fortune | When the messenger arrives from Corinth, he tries to relieve Oedipus by telling he was adopted. This is the point where Oedipus begins to unravel the tale of his life. |
| Anagnorisis | Moment of Critical Discovery | As the play draws to a close, Oedipus realizes the terrible truth. Despite all his efforts - because of them, in fact - he has killed his father and married his mother. The prophecy he and his father had tried to avoid has come true. |
| Nemesis | Fate that Cannot be Avoided | Oedipus’s fate is prophesied as a newborn, he tries to escape it, but by his actions works against his own interests. |
| Catharsis | Audience's Feeling of Pity or Fear After the Hero's Fall | The audience see Oedipus, a flawed but still great man, brought low by fate. They pity his tragic circumstances and feel fear that their own hubris or anger could lead to catastrophe. |
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows how Oedipus can be considered a tragic hero.
Begin by explaining the concept of tragic heroes to the students. Explain how these heroes have a challenge or a flaw they have to face but in the end, their fate is tragic and they are bound to suffer. Start the discussion by asking students why they think tragic heroes are created in literature and their contributions.
Talk about Oedipus' conflict with the element of fate. He finally fulfills the predictions despite his efforts to modify his destiny, underscoring the inevitable nature of some occurrences. Have a detailed discussion on the element of fate in the lives of tragic heroes.
Explain to the students the attributes of a tragic hero and common elements such as the downfall, the flaw, and the tragedy. Ask the students to analyze if Oedipus fits this description and why these attributes constitute the criteria of a tragic hero.
Ask the students to reflect on Oedipus’ journey as a tragic hero and if things could have gone differently during his journey. Encourage the students to discuss their thoughts and what they have learned so far about tragic heroes.
Encourage your students to draw comparisons between Oedipus and other historical tragic figures, such as those from Shakespearean or other Greek writers. Compare and contrast their catastrophic shortcomings and failings. Ask the students to note down the similarities and differences they find in the journeys of these tragic heroes using a Venn Diagram.
A tragic hero is a figure who has a fatal fault or hamartia and is frequently of noble birth. All the tragic heroes such as Hamlet and Caesar possess a tragic flaw that leads to their downfall, suffering, and eventually their tragic deaths. Due to the numerous efforts of these heroes, the audience feels sympathy and pity towards them which classifies them as heroes.
Oedipus eventually discovers his horrible identity as the killer of his own biological father and the husband of his biological mother thanks to his tireless quest for the truth. His defeat and self-inflicted punishment result from this realization.
The tragic defect of Oedipus is his overwhelming arrogance or hubris. He is determined to find the truth about his fate and the murder of King Laius because of his excessive pride which leads him to his own tragic ending.