Oedipus: Sophecles’ Tragic Hero “A perfect tragedy should imitate actions which excite pity and fear and through pity and fear effect the proper purgation of the emotions.” (Aristotle, Poetics) Oedipus Rex, by Sophecles, is a true tragedy and the character of Oedipus is the archetype of the tragic hero. Moral corruption and depravity did not bring upon Oedipus’ misfortune. He is then pitied as a tragic character because he had no control over his future …showed first 75 words of 551 total…

…showed last 75 words of 551 total…by vice or moral corruption, he is viewed as the tragic character. The pity felt for him after his fall from greatness elevates the story to tragedy. Oedipus’ greatness is juxtaposed by his demise, and his demise is viewed as even more tragic. The horror of the plot and the pity felt towards Oedipus is what has made him the archetype of the tragic hero, and has made Sophecles’ drama Oedipus Rex a perfect tragedy.