Complex Characters In Sophocles's Play Oedipus The King

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Ancient Greece is famous for their beautiful and various forms of fine art. One such form of entertainment still admired today is Greek theater. Many famous plays are still acted out by modern day thespians, however, Sophocles’ play, Oedipus the King, remains as one of the most famous plays presented in Ancient Greek theater. This play spreads the message of how one cannot escape fate nor punishment for wrongdoing, whether a king or commoner.Complex characters drag the audience in and keep them engaged as more attributes, flaws, and plot are revealed. Oedipus, the protagonist of Sophocles’ play Oedipus the King, experiences first hand how one’s flaws can be their own antagonist and bring the downfall of men. (TS) Many flaws exist within …show more content…

(CD) Arrogance plays a key role in this depiction especially when Oedipus is still stubbornly keeping Teiresius in his palace to learn his true identity but then proceeds to accuse him of lying because “You taunt me and think because you are a prophet you will go scot-free” (684). (CM) According to the text, the prophet is enraged by Oedipus’ provocations so that he spews out the truth, but the main character refuses to understand nor believe it and even mocks him. (CM) Understandably, this act of ire will bring his doom, since there will be not many other warnings to soften this fall from fame. (CD) The protagonist also shows arrogance when he suspects others, like his brother-in-law, of treason and greed for his throne. (CM) To assume that one desires Oedipus’ position is a form of haughtiness , because it means that the protagonist is in a better position than the other and that the one who desires such power is a duplicitic man. CM) In this scenario, it also means that Oedipus is vainly assuming that others will act less humane to attain power. (CM) By accusing others of unjust crimes, the tragic hero will not gain any trust nor loyalty from them and may even be abandoned to fate due to a feeling of betrayal. (CS) Therefore, Oedipus’ ire is a flaw that dominates him and causes him to fall in a pit of

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