The Greek drama Oedipus Rex is clearly a tragedy. It definitely meets the five
main criteria for a tragedy: a tragic hero of noble birth, a tragic flaw, a fall from grace, a
moment of remorse, and catharsis.
Oedipus Rex clearly meets the first of these five criteria. Oedipus is the son of
Laius, who was king of Thebes. Even at the beginning of the story, when we are told that
Oedipus is the son of Polybus, he is still of noble birth; Polybus is king of Corinth.
The tragic flaw, or mistake that a character makes, in Oedipus Rex does not
actually take place during the story. We only watch as…
