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According to Aristotle, “ a tragedy should arouse in the spectators the feeling piety and fear – ‘pity’ mainly for the hero’s tragic fate and ‘fear’ at the sight of the dreadful suffering that occurs the characters, particularly the hero. By arousing these feelings of pity and fear, a tragedy aims at the catharsis or purgation of these and similar other emotions.”
By Aristotle's definition “ ‘ hamartia’ or ‘tragic flaw’ is an error of judgment that was made by a character in a theatrical tragedy.” The story of King Oedipus reveals the qualities and faults of his character, in the light of which we have to consider Oedipus's stature as an Aristotlean tragic hero whose sufferings are due to a ‘ hamartia’ or ‘ tragic flaw’. In the story, we see that Oedipus is the king of Thebes, and husband of Jocasta, queen of Thebes. He knows from the Delphi oracle which has fallen on the city of Thebes due to the presence of the murderer of the late king Laius. After hearing that Oedipus calls upon all those who have any knowledge about the matter to come forward and disclose it. Tiresias, the blind prophet knows the truth but he didn’t want to say that to Oedipus that’s why he refuses to disclose it. But Oedipus wanted to know the truth as he was a good king and also he want to solve the suffering of the people of Thebes.
When Tiresias refuses to disclose the truth Oedipus commands Tiresias to conspiracy to depose him. Oedipus started insulting the blind prophet for his blindness and also said that he do not know anything. Tiresias then cannot control his angriness and tell all the truth about the origin of Oedipus that he is the son of king Laius and queen Jocasta. Oedipus himself killed his biological father king Laius and marry his mother Jocasta. At a young age, he killed king Laius and all his men by getting into an argument but at that time Oedipus didn’t know that king Laius was his biological father. After knowing all that queen Jocasta committed suicide. Then Oedipus understood that he make great sins. He cannot tolerate what he did, then he blinds himself to the golden broaches of his mothers who was also his wife.
From the story of the tragedy, we come to know about both the qualities and faults of Oedipus. Oedipus solved the Sphinx and saved Thebes from great suffering. As a king, he is a well-wisher of his people and an efficient ruler. In the end, he blinds himself because he understands he did wrong to his father and mother which express that he hates impurity.
But has his fault as well. He is short–tempered, quick in his judgment, and he feels very proud of his power and intellect and arbitrary decisions. He insulted Tiresias when he refuses to tell the truth. All these of his faults are owning to his feelings of pride or ‘hubris’.
Finally, I can say without any doubt that, the gods do not lead Oedipus to his downfall. His own error of judgment cause his suffering. His downfall is due to hubris.
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