How Does Oedipus Show Internal Human Greatness

Human greatness lies not in external traits that can quickly disappear, but it lies within us, in the characteristics that shape our personalities. Oedipus Rex is a tragedy written in 429 B.C.E by the Greek writer, Sophocles. The play tells the story of the tragic hero Oedipus, who is trying to escape his fate after he was destined to kill his father and marry his mother, but he soon realizes that he has come across his fate without knowing it. Throughout the play, the character Oedipus shows internal human greatness through his own suffering and his ability to accept truths and take responsibility for his actions.
Oedipus demonstrates human greatness through his readiness to accept the truth about who his parents are even though discovering this can have a negative impact on his life. “No, that can never be. I have the clues here in my hand. I must find out my birth.” (1024), he insists on taking this chance to learn the truth. Oedipus is prepared to know and bear the reality of who his true birth parents are. He understands that knowing this can lead to suffering, but he is willing to endure it. Oedipus is determined and as depicted in his actions is willing to do what it takes to determine the identity of his

“Send me away from Thebes to live/He means to cast himself from Thebes, to stay in this house no more...” (1471-1249), after Oedipus realizes it was his doings that brought a plague upon the city of Thebes, he wants to leave so the city can be free of the plague. Oedipus is taking responsibility for his actions that have brought pain to others. He still has the will to live even though he will suffer from the burden of knowing everything he has done and the pain he has caused. Oedipus knows what he has done has caused everybody misfortune and he is trying to do what’s right and fix that even though it will lead to his own