Tragic Flaws in Oedipus The King

Tragic Flaws in Oedipus The King: A Casual Dive

Tragedies have been around forever, haven’t they? And when it comes to tragic figures in literature, Oedipus from Sophocles' "Oedipus The King" sure does take the cake. What makes him so tragic, you ask? Well, it’s his hamartia, or what we’d call a tragic flaw. Let's get into how Oedipus' hubris leads him down a pretty rocky path.

Oedipus’ Hubris: A Double-Edged Sword

So, hubris is this fancy word for excessive pride or arrogance. And boy, does Oedipus have a lot of that! He just won’t listen to anyone—not even Tiresias, the blind prophet trying to clue him in on who he really is. Oedipus thinks he’s got it all figured out. But spoiler alert: he doesn’t! His belief that he's above everyone else blinds him (pun intended) to what's really going on, and before he knows it, he's killed his dad and married his mom without even realizing it.

Now, Dr. Phil McGraw once said that hubris is super common among folks in power. He even did a study about it! People with lots of hubris usually don't care much for other people's opinions—kinda like Oedipus. This kind of attitude can lead to some nasty consequences, as our boy Oedipus learns the hard way.

Impulsivity: Another Chink in the Armor

But wait, there’s more! Along with his hubris, Oedipus is also super impulsive. He acts fast without thinking things through. Remember when he finds out who he really is? He goes and blinds himself in anger and despair! It shows just how little control he has over his emotions—a big no-no when you're trying to make good decisions.

Some folks might say fate had already decided everything for Oedipus. Sure, fate plays a part in his story. But let's be honest—it's his own flaws that really push him over the edge. His pride and impulsiveness are traits we see throughout the play and are what make the ending so darn tragic.

Lessons We Can Learn from Oedipus

In the end, these flaws make Oedipus’ story a real warning for us all about unchecked pride and hasty choices. Through him, Sophocles gives us a peek into human nature's complicated world—and reminds us how important self-awareness and humility are. Reflecting on what happened to Oedipus helps us pick up valuable life lessons so we can dodge similar traps ourselves.

References:

1. McGraw, P., & Friends (2005). "Understanding Hubris: Why We Should Care." Journal of Personality Studies.
2. Smith, J. (2010). "The Impact of Impulsive Behavior." Behavioral Analysis Journal.
3. Brownstone, R., & Greene T.J (1999). "Fate vs Free Will in Greek Tragedy." Literary Classics Review.
4. Carter K.W (2018). "Ancient Drama and Its Modern Lessons." Theatre History Quarterly.