How is Oedipus a Tragic Hero Despite Being a King

Often loosing what you have, does not necessarily mean losing who you are. In Sophocles’ play, Oedipus Rex, Oedipus, the beloved King of Thebes, attempts to challenge the gods which results in him losing his thrown, his sight, and his family. Although Oedipus has been stripped of what seem to be his best attributes, Oedipus is no less of a hero than he was at the beginning of the play... How is Oedipus a tragic hero - a theme for reflection in the essay.

'Oedipus Rex' and the Image of Tragic Hero

Despite his downfall, Oedipus remains a hero as he shows compassion throughout the play. Oedipus’ compassion is introduced at the very beginning of the play when he demonstrates how much he cares for his people. When the Thebans reach out to him about their suffering caused by a plague in Thebes, Oedipus responds by saying “not one is as sick as I / …my spirit groans for the city, for myself, for you”. Oedipus shows compassion toward the Thebans by expression how he is suffering for them all.

By the end of the play, Oedipus remains the compassionate man he was as he cares deeply for his family. As Oedipus decides that he should be sent away from Thebes, he feels for bringing misfortune upon his daughters and tries his best to ensure that they will be in good hands. He does this by asking Kreon to “take care of them”. This comes to show how Oedipus cares about saving his daughters from their misery, making him a hero. Oedipus remains a hero by showing that he is a man of integrity. In the first scene, Oedipus promises to do everything in his power to end the plague by finding and cursing the man who murdered King Laios. Oedipus prays that “whether it be a lurking thief or one of a number/that that man’s life be consumed in evil and/wretchedness/and as for [him], this curse applies no less”.

At the end of the play when Oedipus is told that he is the man whom he has been looking for, he rightfully decides to keep his word. He demands to be sent “out of [the] country as quickly as/may be/to a place where no human voice can ever greet [him]”. Oedipus keeping his word by being an active participant in his own punishment, not only shows that he is a man of integrity but also shows to a certain extent how saving the Thebans was in his best interest which makes him a hero.

Conclusion

In all, in 'Oedipus Rex' Oedipus is depicted as a tragic hero because he loses his status, his sight, and his family. However, he still possesses his heroic character traits. Throughout the play, Oedipus remains compassionate and a man of his word which classifies him as a hero. The tale of Oedipus Rex shows how one is not always fully defeated after losing what seem to be their best attributes.