Oedipus Rex : an Aristotalian Tragedy

Oedipus as an Aristotalian Tragedy

Oedipus Rex by Sophocles is often regarded as the perfect example of an Aristotelian tragedy, as described in Aristotle's Poetics. Aristotle considers Oedipus Rex to be the ideal tragedy because it exemplifies the key elements of a tragic play: a tragic hero with a fatal flaw (hamartia), a reversal of fortune (peripeteia), recognition (anagnorisis), and the evocation of pity and fear leading to catharsis. Here’s a discussion on how Oedipus Rex fulfills these criteria of Aristotelian tragedy:

1. Tragic Hero with a Fatal Flaw (Hamartia)

According to Aristotle, a tragedy must center around a noble character who possesses a fatal flaw or hamartia that leads to their downfall. In Oedipus Rex, Oedipus is the tragic hero, a noble king who is respected for his intelligence and dedication to his people. He is portrayed as a proactive and courageous leader who is determined to save Thebes from a devastating plague: "I have sent Creon... to Apollo's shrine, to learn what I might do or say to save our city" (Oedipus Rex, lines 68–70).

However, his tragic flaw is his hubris, or excessive pride, and his relentless pursuit of the truth, even when it leads to his own ruin. Oedipus’s determination to uncover the truth about Laius’s murder and his own origins, despite multiple warnings, is driven by his belief in his ability to solve any problem. This is evident when he declares, "I must bring what is dark to light" (Oedipus Rex, line 134). His inability to accept the limits of his understanding and his refusal to heed the warnings of the prophet Teiresias lead to his tragic downfall.

Critic E. R. Dodds argues that Oedipus’s hubris is central to his tragedy: "He trusts his intellect too much and must learn how fallible it is" (On Misunderstanding the Oedipus Rex). Oedipus’s hamartia makes him a complex character who is both admirable and flawed, fulfilling the Aristotelian definition of a tragic hero.

2. Reversal of Fortune (Peripeteia)

Aristotle emphasizes the importance of a reversal of fortune (peripeteia) in a tragedy, where the hero’s situation changes from good to bad due to their own actions. In Oedipus Rex, the peripeteia occurs when Oedipus, who starts as a respected king, gradually realizes that he is the cause of the plague that has afflicted Thebes and that he has fulfilled the prophecy of killing his father and marrying his mother. This reversal is ironic because Oedipus’s attempt to avoid his fate leads him directly to it.

The turning point happens when a messenger reveals to Oedipus that Polybus, the man he thought was his father, is dead. What seems to be good news quickly turns into a revelation that Oedipus is not Polybus’s son. The Shepherd’s confirmation of Oedipus’s true parentage marks the complete reversal of his fortune: "You are that man—you, you are the unholy polluter of this land" (Oedipus Rex, line 397).

Bernard Knox highlights this reversal: "The tragic irony of Oedipus Rex is that Oedipus’ efforts to escape his fate merely bring him closer to it" (Oedipus at Thebes). This dramatic shift from prosperity to disaster aligns with Aristotle's concept of peripeteia, showcasing the tragic irony at the heart of the play.

3. Recognition (Anagnorisis)

Aristotle also identifies anagnorisis—the moment of recognition or discovery—as a key element in tragedy. In Oedipus Rex, the anagnorisis occurs when Oedipus realizes the truth of his birth and his actions. This moment of self-recognition is both devastating and enlightening. He finally understands that he has fulfilled the prophecy that he tried so hard to avoid: "O Light, may I never look on you again, revealed as I am, sinful in my begetting, sinful in marriage, sinful in shedding of blood!" (Oedipus Rex, lines 1310-1312).

W. B. Stanford points out that the recognition scene is central to the play’s tragic impact: "Oedipus’s greatness lies in his relentless determination to discover the truth about himself, regardless of the consequences" (Sophocles and His Theatre). The moment of anagnorisis deepens the tragedy as Oedipus moves from ignorance to knowledge, leading to his ultimate suffering.

4. Catharsis: Evoking Pity and Fear

One of Aristotle's most significant contributions to the understanding of tragedy is the concept of catharsis—the purging of emotions of pity and fear. Oedipus Rex achieves catharsis by evoking these emotions as the audience witnesses Oedipus’s journey from a proud, confident king to a blind, humbled man. His tragic realization and self-inflicted punishment—blinding himself after discovering the truth—serve as powerful moments of emotional release for the audience: "Apollo, friends, Apollo has laid this agony upon me" (Oedipus Rex, lines 1468-1469).

A. C. Bradley discusses the cathartic effect of Oedipus’s downfall: "The essence of tragedy in Oedipus lies in the conflict between man’s effort to control his fate and the inexorable power of destiny" (Greek Tragedy and Its Influence). The audience feels both pity for Oedipus, who suffers due to circumstances beyond his control, and fear of the potential consequences of human pride and ignorance.

5. The Unity of Action, Time, and Place

Aristotle also praised Oedipus Rex for its unity of action, where every event in the play contributes to the central narrative without any irrelevant subplots. The play adheres to the classical unities of time and place, occurring within a single day and within the palace and its surroundings in Thebes. This tight structure intensifies the drama and helps to maintain the focus on Oedipus’s tragic fate.

Richard Jebb discusses the play’s structure, stating, "Sophocles’ art lies in his ability to maintain a single, intense focus on Oedipus’s downfall, bringing the audience closer to the inescapable consequences of human error" (The Growth and Influence of Classical Greek Tragedy). The unity of action, time, and place contributes to the play’s status as an ideal Aristotelian tragedy.

Summing Up

Oedipus Rex exemplifies the key elements of an Aristotelian tragedy through its portrayal of a tragic hero with a fatal flaw, a dramatic reversal of fortune, a moment of recognition, and the evocation of pity and fear leading to catharsis. The play’s structure, characterized by its unity of action, time, and place, further reinforces its alignment with Aristotle's principles of tragedy. Through its exploration of fate, human error, and the limits of knowledge, Oedipus Rex continues to stand as the epitome of Greek tragedy, illustrating the timeless nature of Aristotelian principles in dramatic storytelling.