Oedipus the King: A Tragic Hero in Term Paper

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Oedipus the King: A Tragic Hero

In the Bedford Introduction to Drama, Lee Jacobus writes, "Greek Tragedy focused on a person of noble birth who in some cases had risen to a great height and then fell precipitately." The modern critic, Kenneth Burke expands on this. He developed a pattern for these tragedies. Burke believes that that the tragic hero goes through three developmental stages, the first is purpose, the second is passion, and the third is perception. Lastly, Aristotle - perhaps the greatest contemporary of the tragedians - indicates that the tragic hero must bring about his own downfall "by some error or frailty" in his being; today many refer to this as the character's tragic flaw.

Oedipus the King is a noble character. He is king of Thebes. The very essence of tragedy revolves around the idea that a character must fall from a great height. Oedipus has achieved the greatest height possible in his life and in his power and arrogance he decides to take on the plague that has cursed the city. He has decided to investigate and curse he who murdered Laius.

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If anyone is out to shield a guilty friend or is it guilty self?),

He'd best listen to the penalties I plan.

That man, whoever that man be, this country's reigning king

Shall sever from all fellowship of speech and shelter, sacrifice and sacrament,

Even ritual touch of water, in this realm.

Thrust out from every home, he'll be the very picture of that pestilence he brought upon our city,

As Apollo's word from Pythia has just revealed to me.

Yes, such an ally, nothing less,

I am I of both religion and the murdered man. (15)

With the preceding quote, Burke's first developmental stage is set. Oedipus has purpose. Within this quote an audience also sees a glimmer of the flaw that will eventually be the king's downfall, his pride.

The second element, passion, can be seen throughout Oedipus' life and throughout the play. His violence toward Laius in his youth,….....

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