Oedipus Rex as a Tragedy: How This Play Fit into the "Tragic" Criteria

Oedipus Rex as a Tragedy
Oedipus Rex, written by Greek playwright Sophocles, is considered to be one of the most ingenious yet disturbing plays ever to be written. This drama has greatly influenced Western culture, as elements of this play can be seen throughout later literature, legend and language,
becoming the standard for all other tragedies to be compared. The tragic figure, in this case Oedipus, is responsible for his own downfall. This leads to harmatia, or an error in judgement,
usually a direct result of the initial hubris, and sets in motion the incidents or consequences which lead to the destruction of the individual. The tragic figure must suffer and in turn, be aware
of the reasons for his suffering, but it is more often than not disproportionate to the actual crime.
Also, there must be a moment of tragic illumination or recognition, in which the tragic figure acknowledges that he is responsible for his eventual downfall. In short, these characteristics are main elements in the definition of a tragedy. The tragic hero's self destructive actions convey an aspect of the human condition. …