Oedipus rex as a greek drama

Greek tragedy is a genre of theatre written down by playwrights like Aeschylus and
Sophocles their roots in ritualistic celebration often involved dance and choral
singing to appeal to the gods. Tragedy performances usually involved a mix of song
and spoken dialogue to tell a story, with the all-important chorus filling both a
ritualistic and storytelling role.
every greek play follows a format usually involving these key elements:

1. Tragic Hero

A tragic hero is a person of High rank who accepts his or her downfall with
dignity. Oedipus who is the main hero of the play, after learning about his dark
actions, blinds himself with the intention to not only see anything henceforth of
this world but also not be able to see his father and mother's faces when he goes
to the underworld.

2. Tragic Flaw

An error in judgment or a weakness in character such as pride or arrogance (helps

bring about the hero's downfall). Oedipus also had too much pride which also
contributed to his downfall. He was telling the people that they would find the
murderer and have him exiled. He was too blind to see that he killed the king.
Oedipus’s pride also was a large contribution to his downfall. He had so much that
he became blind to things around him and the things he was doing to himself and
others. Everything that happens to him is brought onto him by him. He killed his
father, he also married his mother. He chooses to ignore the warnings from Jocasta,
he searches and searches for the killer, to soon find out it was himself. Just as
Oedipus becomes king his pride and confidence in himself grow. The people look at
him as some kind of saviour because he has defeated the king. This basically makes
his ego 10 times bigger. He also is very denying his fate. The terrible irony in
this story is that every time he tries to do the right thing, it brings about his
destruction.

3. Catastrophe

A tragedy ends with a catastrophe; a disastrous conclusion usually involving

multiple deaths. If the tragic hero does not die, then he/she suffers destruction.
In Oedipus Rex, the queen of Jocasta hangs herself and Oedipus stabs his eyes
pleading to be exiled.

4. Chorus

throughout a tragedy, a chorus (a mass group of actors) observes and comments on

the action through songs.in Oedipus Rex, they provide an environment that
underscores the tragic action. They also play a role as a character being a
peacemaker and instil a sense of fear.

5. Off-Stage Violence and Action

While each play typically took place in a single location like a palace or temple,
much of the action, particularly the violent scenes, took place off stage and were
relayed wither by chorus or dialogues. in Oedipus rex, the entire play takes place
in the palace of Thebes. violent scenes like Oedipus killing king lauis were said
in dialogues and Jocasta hanging herself as well as Oedipus blinding himself with
Jocasta's pin were relayed by the messenger.

6. A Mix of Human Characters and Deities

Most Greek tragedies presented human figures, usually, the flawed hero, grappling
with his flaws (popular ones were: rage, a desire for revenge, and pridefulness.)
The plays often featured the intervention of various gods and goddesses, who were
presented as characters in the story, either helping or hindering the hero's
journey.
in Oedipus rex, the flawed hero Oedipus was known to be arrogant and prideful
rulership. in the play, we saw Oedipus seeking apollo, who is known to be the god
of truth and prophecy to help them with the mystery of the plague that has been
spreading around the kingdom.

7. Sudden Reversal
Many Greek tragedies involve a sudden reversal of fortune for the flawed hero, a
point at which either the deities' involvement or his tragic flaws (sometimes both)
change his fortune suddenly and propel the plot towards his downfall. Oedipus
leaves his foster house to stop fate's intervention, which ultimately leads to his
own downfall. also, Oedipus's selfishness and temper eventually lead to his
downfall. Oedipus's selfishness made everyone else mad at him for him not believing
them. He kept digging and digging himself into a deeper hole. This eventually made
his punishment, in the end, worse for him.

8. Central Belief; Fate

The ancient Greeks believed in the idea of fate or a destiny preordained by the
Gods, no matter what action a person takes place in the present. Oedipus, Jocasta,
and Laius tried their best to get away from their prophecies which were given to
them by oracles but fate triumphed and they fail.