Oedipus Rex

Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex is one of Greek literatures classic tragedies. It

supports and demonstrates Aristotle’s view on tragedy in the story, and ultimately

defines how this drama is a tragedy. He talks about tragedy being “an imitation of a

noble and complete action” (Witt, 165) along with being artistically enhanced with

fearful incidents. Important parts of tragedies also include plot, character, diction,

thought, spectacle, and melody. Tragedies are imitations of human action, life,

happiness, and misery, all of which are qualities that Oedipus Rex possess.

To understand exactly what a tragedy is, one must first understand what

Aristotle’s view on the matter. In The Poetics, he stated:

Tragedy is, then, an imitation of a noble and complete action, having

the proper magnitude; it employs the language that has been artistically enhanced by each of the kinds of linguistic adornment, applied separately in the various parts of the play; it is presented in a dramatic, not