Why Aristotle Viewed Oedipus as the Best Tragic Hero

Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex as the Epitome of a Tragic Hero

Thesis

Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex is the epitome of a tragic hero because he perfectly fits the formula for a tragic hero as set out by Aristotle—that is, he meets each of the four requirements of a tragic hero: he must be better than the average man; he must have manly valor; he must be believable and authentic; and he must have a consistent character.

Outline

I. Oedipus Rex as a tragic hero

a. The requirements of the tragic hero according to Aristotle’s definition

b. Sophocles’ Oedipus matches that definition perfectly

c. Thesis

II. First Requirement

a. Be better

b. Oedipus is great—he is king and is loved

c. He wants to do what is right to save the Thebans, which means he must find the murderer of the former king and bring him to justice

III. Second Requirement

a. Have manly valor

b. Oedipus does not shy away from a challenge—that is how he became king in the first place—by solving the riddle of the Sphinx

c. He stands up to protect the Thebans even if it is the cause of his own undoing

IV. Third Requirement

a. He is real

b. He has imperfections like all men; his wrath and temper get the best of him at times

c. His punishment for his sins and crimes are haunting because he comes across as so believable

V. Fourth Requirement

a. Be consistent