Thesis Statement: We have all questioned the theory of a “tragic hero” as seen many times over and over again in Greek mythology. These sins or flaws one can say that are displayed are a matter of imperfections that remind us yet again that there is no such thing as perfection.

Outline

1. The Introduction

A) Thesis statement

2. History of Aristotle

A) Definition of a tragic hero

B)Background Contributions

3. What is a tragic hero now?

A)How does it relates to now

B) Our definition of a hero

4. Sophocles

A) Sophocles history

B)Brief Summary of Oedipus

5. How it relates to Aristotle?

A) Yes it exemplifies

B) Significant highlights of the story supporting answer

6) Closing conclusion

A) Reinstatement of thesis and paper

Turischevia Wilkes

Professor Dixon

English 102

16 May 2012

We have all questioned the theory of a “tragic hero” as seen many times over and over again in Greek mythology. These sins or flaws one can say that are displayed are a matter of imperfections that remind us yet again that there is no such thing as perfection. Here in this essay I will display the meaning of a “tragic hero” and how the story Sophocles written Oedipus exemplifies a true example of a Greek tragedy.

Firstly I would like to start off with an explanation of a tragic hero and where it came from. Aristotle born in 384 BC was a renowned philosophical figure during ancient Greece. His works has set groundbreaking contributions in different area of studies including the arts. Aristotle a student of Socrates and Platos was one not scared to reject against a different belief or theory than from what he believed. This included his famous definition of a Tragedy. As famously quoted:

A tragedy is an imagination of an action of high importance. Complete and of some amplitude; in language enhanced by distinct and varying beauties; acted not narrated; by means of pity and fear effecting its purgation of these emotions (Aristotle, Poetics C hapter VI).

In other words Aristotle belief of a tragic hero in a simpler understanding was a person held in high regards also carried out flaws and sins that caused them to be their own fall. Whether it was from extreme pride, a fatal weakness or extreme determination in Oedipus case. Sometime type of weakness or negative trait was usually always presence.

How this does relates to our belief of a hero some may ask? Easily, in our generation we still carry on a belief in our heroes or “role models” more commonly known; but as Aristotle, we have come to realize that not all of our heroes are perfect and may be just as or even more flawed then we perceive them to be. Our tragic heroes are those who live a life just as we do and set ways in our own bad habits. Some of us even have natural characteristics that are negatively put against us. For example traits of curiosity and knowledge like Oedipus, whereas seeking a truth instead of turning away may lead to be something we did not want to know. To get a further understanding of this, one must take a look deeper into the story of Oedipus and his beginnings.

Sophocles the infamous dramatic writer and priest who has written over hundreds of plays with only few having survived in its entirety is the well known writer of Oedipus or Oedipus the King originally titled (Pearson Education: Sophocle