Deconstructing Tragedy And The Definition Of The...

Deconstructing Tragedy and the Definition of the Protagonist’s Innocence In Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, Oedipus meets the Aristotelian definition of a tragic hero as divine fate and tragic flaws lead to his downfall. Oedipus’s tragic flaws like hubris, curiosity, and anger, contribute to his unfortunate fate. The components of a perfect tragedy as defined in Aristotle’s Poetics are at the center of Oedipus Rex. The play contains the elements of a perfect tragedy such as â€Å"imitation †¦ purification †¦ [and] recognition† (Poetics). Similarly, the movie Awakenings is a tragedy because it has elements of â€Å"imitation,† â€Å"recognition,† and â€Å"serious implications.† The protagonist Leonard Lowe is not a tragic hero†¦show more content†¦Oedipus’s anger highlights one of his tragic flaws. Oedipus first outburst of anger was when he killed his father, reminiscing, â€Å"I became angry and struck the coachman, and then I killed them all† (Sophocles 880 – 8). Oedipus’s anger continued throughout the play, especially when others inform him about his fate. When Teiresias accuses Oedipus of killing his father, Oedipus lashes out, saying â€Å"And who has taught you truth? Not your profession surely!† (Sophocles 388-389). This response is an attack on Teiresias and the principle of prophecies, as Oedipus exclaims Teirsias’s profession has not taught him truth. Oedipus angrily placed blame on his closest friend for his doomful fate, Creon, blaming, â€Å"No, certainly; kill you, not banish you† (Sophocles 687). Oedipus’s impulsive and extravagant anger make his angry characteristic all the more harmful. Oedipus’s anger eventually turned on himself, as he blinds himself in reaction to his foolishness and ignorance. Another aspect of Oedipus’s tragic flaw is his hubris. Initially it is cle ar Oedipus believes he is Thebe’s last hope, stating â€Å"I Oedipus whom all men call the Great† (Sophocles 6). Oedipus proves his hubris as he stands center-stage during almost the entire play. Creon tries to usher Oedipus off stage and tell him of the news, although Oedipus replies â€Å"Speak it to all: the grief I bear, I bear it more