Aristotle’s Poetics through Oedipus Rex

Tragedy is a form of drama based on human suffering that is often described as bad things happening to good people. Many appeal to tragedy because they feel good that they feel dolorous for the person suffering. Greek playwrights used it entrance the emotions of the audience. Oedipus Rex, written by Sophocles, is a great example of a Greek tragedy. Around this time of Greek theatre, Aristotle wrote the Poetics, which analyzed tragic drama and specifically Oedipus Rex. Aristotle used Oedipus Rex to help explain the main components to a Greek tragedy. These main components are illustrated through Oedipus Rex, which include the importance of plot, tragic flaw of a main character, unity of action, Cathartic Purging, and the absence of spectacle. The first component of dramatic tragedies is the importance of plot and how it propels characters contrary to that of comedic tragedies in which the plot is driven by characters. In dramatic tragedies, the characters have no control over their own fate. No matter what they do, they can never control or escape fate. This component is demonstrated in Sophocles’ tragedy when Oedipus causes his own fall. However, this fall was not caused by the character's weakness or flaw. It was predestined and uncontrollable to him. Although he could not control or change his fate, his tragic flaw, determination, is led to his downfall. The plot propelled his character as he fought to change his fate, which led to his actual fate. This tragic flaw, another component of Greek tragedy, caused his fate to be fulfilled. He was determined to escape the oracle so he fled from Corinth, where he believed his father was. He killed a random group of travelers including his real father as he was fleeing. Had he not been determined, he would not have left Corinth and his fate would have changed. However, you can’t change fate. Another component is the hero