A man has many defining characteristics - some positive and some negative. At times, apotentially positive characteristic may cause his eventual downfall. This concept can be directlyrelated to the story Oedipus Rex. Aristotle stated, the tragic hero falls into bad fortune becauseof some flaw in his character of the kind found in men of high reputation and good fortune such asOedipus. Essentially, he is telling us that Oedipus has a flaw that, under normal circumstances,would be a beneficial characteristic, but in his case, causes his demise. The defining characteristicsof pride and determination can be attributed to the downfall of Oedipus.Oedipus personality clearly reflects pride and determination throughout the play. When Oedipusheard the oracles prediction that he was to kill his father and marry his mother, he wasdetermined to prevent the prophecy. Therefore he left his homeland of Corinth never to return.Then when he solved the Sphinxs riddle, Oedipus pride rose to a new level. He was praised bythe people of Thebes, resulting in his marriage to Jocasta, Queen of Thebes. Oedipus also showshis determination when in search of Laius murderer. He stated that he would avenge the Kingsdeath as if Laius were his own father. He cursed the murderer, announcing May he drag out anevil death-in-life in misery. These characteristics of pride and determination, which Oedipusemanates throughout the play, may appear to be positive attributes to ones personality.However, Oedipus actions, based on these characteristics, are what led him to his eventualdownfall and suffrage. If Oedipus had not been so determined to escape and prevent the prophecy, he would not havefulfilled it. Possibly, he was doomed to fulfill the prophecy because he believed he could avoid it.Nevertheless, his fate was sealed by his actions of pride and determination. His pride ofconquering the Sphinx led him to the marriage of Jocasta, his mother. When avenging Jocasta...
