Essay on Hubris in Oedipus the King by Sophocles - 766 Words

There are many historic and fictional figures where hubris led to their downfall. Hubris is defined as being arrogant and having pride for your self. There are many people that are led to their downfall because of hubris. People that are hubris are blinded and can’t see what they did wrong. Those who contain hubris only think about themselves and can’t see the big picture. They think the world revolves around them and think they are the best. They are always going to be successful but suddenly will drop down. They will do anything to make themselves look good. There are many people that contain hubris. Oedipus is a fictional character in the novel Oedipus the King by Sophocles. The novel focuses on hubris. Oedipus is a man that is†¦show more content†¦He was blinded because he did not think he will get caught and will be the best player in MLB history. Dr. Frank Tassone, Bernard Madoff,Alex Rodriguez and Oedipus were all filled with hubris which led to their do wnfalls. Dr. Frank Tassone the superintendent of Roslyn was filled with hubris and is blind for money. Dr.Tassone was the school superintendent of Roslyn for 11 years. He was loved and people cared for him. Dr.Tassone grew up in Bronx and was the son of educators. He was married but his wife died. He taught English in Westchester County. Later Dr.Tassone was brought to Roslyn in 1992.â€Å"He was a progressive leader who spoke of social justice, made condoms available in the high school and build a community service program founded on the concept that the privileged class should give something back. He was a respected figure with an ample education pedigree, the intellectual heft of a Dickens scholar and born politician’s touch at making people feel welcome.† (O’Donnell) People considered him to be like a president. The town of Roslyn saw him as a hero. Dr.Tassone has established many classes, and made condoms available. He was also a very well and respected spe aker, which made people love him.This quote relates to Oedipus because he was seen as the best hero Thebes has seen. Oedipus has done many great things for the city of Thebes such as kill the Sphinx that was harassing the people and saved the city from falling apart.The people treated him as theShow MoreRelatedTheme Of Irony In Oedipus The King913 Words   |  4 Pagesaudience. In Sophocles’, Oedipus the King, Oedipus’ power and knowledge are unparalleled by man as he is the only man able to solve the Riddle of the Sphinx and save Thebes. Yet after receiving an unpleasant reading from the Oracle at Delphi during a quest to find his true self, Oedipus directly challenges Apollo, and his hubris ends up preventing him from finding out who he really is; The murderer of his father, King Laius, and husband of his own mother, Jocasta. Throughout the play, Sophocles uses ironyRead MoreDeconstructing Tragedy And The Definition Of The Protagonist’S1173 Words   |  5 P agesDefinition of the Protagonist’s Innocence In Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, Oedipus meets the Aristotelian definition of a tragic hero as divine fate and tragic flaws lead to his downfall. Oedipus’s tragic flaws like hubris, curiosity, and anger, contribute to his unfortunate fate. The components of a perfect tragedy as defined in Aristotle’s Poetics are at the center of Oedipus Rex. The play contains the elements of a perfect tragedy such as â€Å"imitation †¦ purificationRead MoreThe Tragic Downfall Of Oedipus The King By Sophocles924 Words   |  4 Pageshave flaws that lead to a tragic downfall. One of these tragic flaws is hubris, which is defined as â€Å"exaggerated pride or self-confidence† (Merriam-Webster). This trait is most commonly found in characters who come to power and allow themselves to be consumed by their newfound hierarchy. The play Oedipus the King by Sophocles embodies the trait and displays it in different ways throughout the story. Oedipus is a victim of hubris as seen w hen he disregards the prophecy given to him, challenges a groupRead MoreAnalysis Of Oedipus The King917 Words   |  4 Pagesused excessively. Oedipus the King was written by Sophocles thousands of years ago as a cautionary tale about hubris. As a king, Oedipus rules over the city of Thebes with an arrogant attitude and believes that he can defy the gods. Through the events of the novella, Oedipus lost everything after uncovering that he killed his father and had children with his mother. Conversely the real downfall of Oedipus came from his pride and failure to handle the situation carefully. Oedipus fills the archetypeRead MoreOedipus the King1125 Words   |  5 PagesOedipus the King by Sophocles is about Oedipus, a man doomed by his fate. Like most tragedies, #8220;Oedipus the King#8221; contains a tragic hero, a heroic figure unable to escape his/her own doom. This tragic hero usually has a hamartia or a tragic flaw which causes his/hers#8217; downfall. The tragic flaw tha t Sophocles gives Oedipus is hubris (exaggerated pride or self-confidence), which is what caused Oedipus to walk right into the fate he sought to escape. Pride like that of Oedipus hadRead MoreOedipus Downfall Essay example774 Words   |  4 PagesPrompt: In a well-developed essay, consider whether hubris, fate or both are the use of Oedipus’ downfall. Use evidence from the text to support your support. Hubris is defined as excessive pride or self-confidence, while fate is defined as the supposed force, principle, or power that predetermines events. Ancient Greeks believed in Hubris, or pride. Pride may have been seen as good or bad. Many people that exhibit pride may come off as being proud of their achievements or lives; however, prideRead MoreOedipus Rex Vs. Antigone1417 Words   |  6 PagesComparative Essay 11-20-01 Oedipus Rex Antigone It is only natural that an author use similar vessels of literature, such as figurative language, literary devices, and elements in his/her work. It is even more apparent between works that are connected by character, time, and theme. Sophocles did this when he wrote Oedipus Rex and Antigone. When comparing the two pieces, it becomes evident that very similar vessels connected these very different plays. Sophocles uses a specific type of figurativeRead MoreCompare Odysseus and Oedipus Essay1739 Words   |  7 PagesOdysseus and Oedipus There are many legendary epic stories have been passed on from generation to generation in the Greek culture. Even though each story has different outcomes, every epic character has certain features in common. Odysseus in The Odyssesy and Oedipus in Oedipus the King are great examples of epic heroes with a variety of similarities. Odysseus and Oedipus are similar in which they both god-like men who are considered heroes because of their cautious ways and relentless tenacityRead MoreJocasta as a Tragic Hero Essay1222 Words   |  5 Pagesgood. They are neither villain nor saint because they have flaws. Several elememts are nevcesary to have a tragic hero, they are the tragic flaw, the reversal, recognition, and hubris. These generally make up the story of the tragic hero, and in the case of Jocasta, the wife and mother of Oedipus in Sophocles’ Oedipus the King, she posses all three. Yet she is not truly considered a â€Å"tragic hero,† but a tragic character by many. However seeing as it is the character of Jocasta that sets the story inRead MoreOedipus : The King Of Thebes And Tragic Hero Essay728 Words   |  3 PagesOedipus: The King of Thebes and Tragic Hero Ancient Greek Literature encompasses an assortment of poetry and drama to include the great masterpieces of tragedy. In Classic Literature, tragedies were commonly known for their elaboration of a protagonist fitting the classification of a tragic hero. This type of a tragic hero often collectively described as a character of noble birth, facing an adversity of some nature and a fate of great suffering. The characteristics of what encompassed a tragic hero