Article | DOWNFALL OF OEDIPUS REX.

Running head: DOWNFALL OF OEDIPUS REX
DOWNFALL OF OEDIPUS REX
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DOWNFALL OF OEDIPUS REX1
Introduction
Oedipus Rex is one of the most celebrated plays that was composed by the Greek
playwright Sophocles. The play was initially performed within the time interval of 430 to 426
BC (Dawe). The play revolves around the myth of Oedipus. The play in itself is one of the most
spectacular examples of Athenian tragedies. Oedipus is demonstrated to be a tragic hero who
encounters a downfall owing to the tragic flaw that is presented within his character. The
following essay attempts a discussion on the tragic flaw of Oedipus and the contribution of the
tragic flaw in bringing about the downfall of Oedipus.
Tragic flaw of Oedipus Rex
The major tragic flaw of Oedipus lies in his overwhelming pride and the unwillingness on
his part to accept the fate that has been predestined to him. The play highlights the myth of
Oedipus. The myth stated that there had been a prophecy for the father of Oedipus, King Laius
that he would be murdered by his own son and that his son would take his wife, Jocasta, the
mother of the son, as his wife. In order to avert such a situation, Jocasta had abandoned her new
born baby on the roadside. The baby was rescued by king of Corinth, Polybus and his queen,
Meropé (Woodruff). However, on learning of the prophecy, Oedipus had decided to leave the
place and enters Thebes in order to find the truth for himself. He had on his way to Thebes killed
Laius in a fit of rage without recognizing him to be Laius. This led to the fulfillment of one part
of the prophecy. In the due course of time, Oedipus had also taken Jocasta as his wife without
knowing that she was his own mother (Armstrong). The prophecy had thus been fulfilled without
the slightest knowledge on his part.