C.J. Hassan
Mr. Woodbury
English H/P. 5
4/19/13
Tragedy: The Power to Change Feelings

“Tragedy” is a term that although complex was given definition by Aristotle in his Poetics. In drama, specifically, “. . . a tragedy is a play, in verse or prose, that recounts an important and casually related series of events in the life of a person of significance, such events culminating in an unhappy catastrophe, the whole treated with great dignity and seriousness” (Handbook 505). Sophocles’ play Oedipus Rex serves as the best example of this genre with its defining components aimed to arouse both pity and fear in the audience. According to Aristotle, “. . . [P]lot is the soul of a tragedy. Such a plot must involve a protagonist who is
Lastly, Oedipus can be described as impatient, as well as impulsive. On the verge of seeking out his descent by talking with the messenger and shepherd, Oedipus insists to the shepherd, “You do not discuss the child whom he researches” (51: 1169). The shepherd responds, “ Because he speaks without knowing, but acts in vain” (51: 1170). After, Oedipus gradually keeps on questioning the shepherd without getting any replies, he states, “If you’ll not speak for my favor, you’ll speak in pain!....Quickly- someone twist back this man’s arms!” (51-52: 1171-1173). This incident not only shows Oedipus’s impulsiveness, but in addition, it portrays that Oedipus has no respect for elders; deliberately making the shepherd go through anguish and grief. All in all, this King Oedipus is not the ordinary and considerate ruler with the average leadership qualities.

Even though Oedipus has a tendency to show some flaws and weaknesses, he still proves his integrity by taking full responsibility for his final actions and thoughts in which continue to reflect his humanity. As soon as he finds out that he has committed incest by marrying his own mother, he seeks out his wife. Oedipus notes that she has hanged herself, so in return, he injects the sockets of his own eyes with a sharp tool so that he can punish himself. This stabbing of his eyes, in return, causes him to become blind. While in excruciating pain, Oedipus implies,