Oedipus Downfall Essay example - 774 Words

Prompt: In a well-developed essay, consider whether hubris, fate or both are the use of Oedipus’ downfall. Use evidence from the text to support your support. Hubris is defined as excessive pride or self-confidence, while fate is defined as the supposed force, principle, or power that predetermines events. Ancient Greeks believed in Hubris, or pride. Pride may have been seen as good or bad. Many people that exhibit pride may come off as being proud of their achievements or lives; however, pride can rise to levels in where it may annoy or offend others. Therefore, pride may cause ones downfall. Sometime fate can also cause ones’ downfall such as pride. , since events in someone’s life are predestined. In a play, there may be such a†¦show more content†¦On the other hand, the fear of Oedipus fulfilling his prophecy had very little use to his downfall unlike hubris having a big role in his downfall. Oedipus’ destiny or fate had little to do with his downfall. The prophet told Oedipus that he was destined to kill his father and marry his mother, but the prophet never mentioned Oedipus murdering Laius on the highway, or solving the Sphinx’s riddle, or accepting and taking advantage of his kingship. Oedipus blinding himself was an example of free will, â€Å"for he removed from†¦[Jocasta’s] garment the golden brooches which she was wearing†¦Ã¢â‚¬  by choice â€Å"†¦and struck the sockets of his own eyes..† blinding himself Free will and hubris, according to the ancient Greeks, were separate from unavoidable fate. Oedipus’s fate was to kill his father and marry his mother. However, everything else, including fleeing Corinth, solving the Sphinx’s riddle, and finally pursuing the truth about his life, was by his own free will, a direct result of his ego and pride. Oedipus Rex is a story about the dangers of pride and arroganc e, one teaching about the importance of humility and tolerance, and one stressing about the control of hubris, a potentially perilous quality that destroyed Oedipus’s vision and his life. Read more: http://bookstove.com/drama/oedipus-and-hubris/#ixzz2HFzedWXu. All of theseShow MoreRelatedOedipus Rex And The Downfall Of Oedipus951 Words   |  4 Pageseventual downfall. This concept could be directly related to the story Oedipus Rex. Aristotle once said something to the effect that the tragic hero falls into bad fortune because of some flaw in his character. Essentially, he is telling us those characters, like Oedipus, have flaws that, under normal circumstances, would be a beneficial characteristic. However in this case, his character caused his demise. The defining characteristics of pride and determination can be attributed to the downfall of OedipusRead MoreEssay about The Downfall of Oedipus550 Words   |  3 PagesOedipus Rex by Sophocles is regarded as a very highly studied Greek play. Even though it was written almost 2500 years ago, it is still widely studied by both students and scholars alike. Oedipus Rex has passed the test of time, because people today can still relate to the themes and feelings experienced by Oedipus in the play. One of the main themes is the downfall of Oedipus and what the cause of this downfall is. The main plot of Oedipus was well known to the Ancient Greeks before it wasRead MoreThe Downfall Of Sophocles Oedipus The King815 Words   |  4 Pages The Downfall of Oedipus In Sophocles Oedipus the King, the topics of fate and free will are exceptionally solid all through the play and. Both focuses could be contended to extraordinary impact. In old Greece, fate was thought to be a simple piece of everyday life. Each part of life depended and was based upon fate. It is nature conviction to accept that humankind does in reality have Free will and every individual can choose the result of his or her life. All Oedipus actions areRead MoreOedipus The King, Oedipus Downfall And Lack Of Divine Attributes1461 Words   |  6 PagesIn Sophocles Oedipus the King, Oedipus’ downfall was a result of the sin of hubris, as he believed that he obtained attributes of divinity, which blinded him from the truth. PURPOSE STATEMENT Through evaluation and analysis of literary criticisms on Oedipus the King, it is shown that the reason for Oedipus’ downfall was his hubris and lack of divine attributes. INTRODUCTION Oedipus assumed he acquired the divine attributes making him further from the truth and nearer to his downfall. He thoughtRead MoreThe Tragic Downfall Of Oedipus The King By Sophocles924 Words   |  4 Pagesliterature, characters often have flaws that lead to a tragic downfall. One of these tragic flaws is hubris, which is defined as â€Å"exaggerated pride or self-confidence† (Merriam-Webster). This trait is most commonly found in characters who come to power and allow themselves to be consumed by their newfound hierarchy. The play Oedipus the King by Sophocles embodies the trait and displays it in different ways throughout the story. Oedipus is a victim of hubris as seen when he disregards the prophecyRead MoreWho Is Responsible for the Downfall of Oedipus Fate or Free Will?1639 Words   |  7 PagesIS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DOWNFALL OF OEDIPUS, IS IT FATE OR FREE WILL? In Oedipus the King by Sophocles, Oedipus is responsible for the tragedy of his downfall. Oedipus is presented with a series of choices throughout the play, and his arrogant and stubborn nature push him to impulsively make the wrong decisions, the decisions that ultimately lead him to his downfall. While Oedipus and those around him consider fate the source of Oedipus problems, Oedipus decisions show the audienceRead MoreComparing the Downfalls of Sophocles Oedipus and Shakespeares Othello1262 Words   |  6 Pages Oedipus and Othello were both honorable and heroic men that became the victims of tragic downfalls that can be compared and contrasted with each other. Sophocles, the writer of Oedipus the King, and Williams Shakespeare, the writer of Othello, were both enormously influential playwrights of their respective generations and their legacy continues today. The two playwrights made their masterpieces during different eras; Sophocles life coincided with the Golden Age of Greek tragedy and ShakespeareRead MoreTo What Extent are ‘Othello’ and Oedipus Rex Perfect Examples of Tragedy1149 Words   |  5 Pages‘Othello’, for Shakespearean tragedy, and ‘Oedipus Rex’, by Sophocles, for classical tragedy. Classical tragedy is one of the most popular sorts of tragedy. The main ideas of classical tragedies include pity and fear for the victim; downfall from a high position for the main character. They usually end in the death of the protagonist, they start in harmony and end in chaos, and it is usually the innocent character that suffers. Sophocles’ ‘Oedipus Rex’ is probably the most famous classical tragedyRead MoreThe Tragic Tragedy Of Sophocles Oedipus The King1601 Words   |  7 PagesThe Tragic Hero Tragedy deals with unexpected or unfortunate events that usually results in negative outcomes that affects the downfall of the main character in a play. Tragedy within Greek drama incorporates the time within the their lifestyle of religious and superstitions. Greek writers use tragedy as a theme in literature because it represents their civilization. Sophocles uses this theme in his dramatic plays because the audience is able to correspond to the story line. It allows the audienceRead MoreEssay about Oedipus the King: A Greek Tragic Hero1096 Words   |  5 Pagescharacter known as the tragic hero. In the play, Oedipus the King, by Sophocles, the character Oedipus, portrays to the reader the necessary, central, tragic hero. According to Aristotle, a tragic hero has a supreme pride (Jones. Pg. 133). That pride is a reflection of arrogance and conceit that suggests superiority to man and equality with the gods. Students of religion are often taught that pride Goethe before the fa ll. In Oedipus situation, his pride, coupled with religious fervor