Aristotalian definition of tragedy and characterization of Oedipus Rex

Aristotalian definition of tragedy

Tragedy is a serious play in which the hero becomes engaged in conflict, experiences, great suffering and finally defeated and dies. In his book poetics, Aristotle defines a hero as a man of Nobel stature whose fortune are reversed as a result of weakness. He does not see the change in the fortunes of the tragic hero as a result of chance, coincidence or fate. Rather he says the change of fortune as being caused by some error or judgment, a great error on the part of the hero. He describes the tragic hero as an intermediate kind of personage in moral character, neither preeminently virtuous and just nor afflicted by vice and depravity. Weakness, tragic flaw or error in the hero has been termed has Hamartia. For example, Othello tragedy is the results of his jealousy and Macbeth’s tragedy is the result of his high ambition. According to Aristotle, the effect or function of tragedy is to arouse pity or fear so that it could produce catharsis or purging of these emotional through pity and fear.

Hamartia or tragic flaw

In his book poetics, Aristotle mentioned that the cause of tragic heroes’ downfall lies not on any depravity but in some great error on his part. He has termed the serious errors as Hamartia. The tragic flaw in Oedipus which caused his downfall is as follows:

He tries his best to evade Apollo’s Oracle, he is self-confident that he can succeed in the struggle against the divine power. In a way he challenges Apollo.
He kills Laius in anger which was not necessary.
He lacks prudence that is a sense of wisdom; he is quick in anger and action.
He is quick in judgment for judging Tiresias and Creon.
He is over confident in his action and reasoning.
He is highly self-esteem for his knowledge and intelligence.
His marriage a woman of his mother’s age.

Despite having all the weaknesses Oedipus cannot be said to be afflicted by bias and depravity. He is also not preeminently virtuous and just. Rather we can describe him as an intermediate kind of personage. During his lifetime he received wide honor and admiration and humiliation as well. Moreover, we can conclude that Oedipus is a good man with tragic flaws which are also responsible for his tragic downfall.

Characterization of Oedipus

Oedipus is the protagonist of this classical tragedy. He is the character ruled by fate and conflict. Oedipus is destined to kill his father and marriage his own mother. His character is typical of the protagonist of Greek tragedies. In Greek tragedies, the protagonist was supposed to be a royal person, almost perfect but the perfection was restricted by Hamartia, a character flaw in the protagonist which determined his downfall. Oedipus he a proud figure who does not take advice well. Oedipus is an intelligent man, an ideal king and a genuinely good human being. He has all the qualities of a great man but he carries the seeds of his destruction within himself. He is impulsive and short temper nature along with fate determines his downfall. With the realization of which he also comes a new found acceptance of being fallible and accepting responsibility for his action. At the end of the play, Oedipus accepts his fate as well as the punishment meted out to him and thereby becomes a greater hero.

Characterization of Jocasta

Jocasta is a moderate and reasonable woman. She calms down her husband Oedipus and Brother Creon and fulfills her role of queen successfully. But due to some error on her rationality. She happens to face tragedy in her life. At the beginning, she calms down the conflicting person that is Oedipus and Creon. She is more worried about the city rather than their private quarrel. She takes her brother Creon as a dependable man and she does not like Oedipus for blaming Creon about the treason and disloyalty. She is very skeptical of prophecies. She questions the skill of soothsayers. In a way, she refuses to accept the command of Apollo. She neither believes in the Oracles nor in the interpreters of Oracles. She believes that no human being processes the power of divination. So she consoles Oedipus and suggests him not to believe such things but unknowingly she happens to assist in the investigation of the truth. By the revelation of the murder of the Laius and giving reference to the place where three highways met. Oedipus flashback his past and try to link it with the story of Jocasta. Two stories resemble too much extent and this particular point becomes the point of revelation. Jocasta is of the opinion that human being should live at present as future is unknown. Moreover, she could not avoid the inevitable tragedy that rules their life. Circumstances became beyond her control and finally committed suicide when the reality is disclosed.

Characterization of Creon

Creon is queen’s brother and a true servant of the state. He is a simple an honest man who enjoys fulfilling his duty as an envoy of the king. He goes to depict god to get instruction, to get rid of the play, as commanded by king Oedipus. He is much worried about state rather than anything. When Oedipus blames him he confronts all the acquisition wisely and defense saying that he has no interest in kingship. He debates on the basis of confidence, not on the speculation. He is the center of faith for all the people. Tiresias regards him as a child of mobility and truth. Jocasta says he is a dependable man and a man of interiority. He is gentle, kind, and very virtuous in his words and actions. Moreover, he remains faithful till his last breath. In spite of his humiliation, Creon is still kind to him and promises to take care of his babies. Thus we can say that Creon is a virtuous, kind and noble character.

Characterization of Tiresias

Tiresias is a major character in many of Sophocles tragedies. He is the old and blind soothsayer of Thebes who has been given immortality. In Oedipus Rex, he is the only man who is aware of the fact that Oedipus has killed his father and married his mother. He is the man of great learning and self-respect. He retorts back in anger when Oedipus calls him a traitor and a villain. He warns Oedipus to be careful as he himself will be responsible for his own destroy. Tiresias is more than human as he can look into the future. Sophocles’ uses this character to explore Oedipus character flaws. Throughout the scene, Tiresias reveal the truth of what’s causing the plague and Oedipus refuse to listen. He is only enamored with his own perceptions.

Reference-

Klaus, C. H. (2013). New York: Oxford University Press.