Activity Overview
Oedipus the King is full of common literary elements that are important for students to explore. One of the more important elements is that of the tragic hero. This is a protagonist who is typically of noble birth and seems to be ill-fated and destined for doom. In this play, it is clear that Oedipus fits this description, as he is lead to his tragic ending.
The Greek philosopher, Aristotle, first articulated the specific attributes or principles of a tragic hero. In fact, he said Oedipus the King was the perfect example of a tragedy. For the storyboard above, students can use a template to storyboard the qualities that make Oedipus, a tragic hero. The finished product outlines each of Aristotle's principles with a detailed explanation of the specific attributes.
Oedipus - Tragic Hero
| ATTRIBUTE | DESCRIPTION | Example from Oedipus Rex |
|---|---|---|
| Hamartia | Hero's Flaw that Causes Downfall | Oedipus’ ignorance of his parenthood, combined with his anger, pride, and determination leads him to discover the horror of his past actions. |
| Hubris | Excessive Pride | He believed that could defy prophecy and Tiresias’s warnings. |
| Peripeteia | Reversal of Fortune | When the messenger arrives from Corinth, he tries to relieve Oedipus by telling he was adopted. This is the point where Oedipus begins to unravel the tale of his life. |
| Anagnorisis | Moment of Critical Discovery | As the play draws to a close, Oedipus realizes the terrible truth. Despite all his efforts - because of them, in fact - he has killed his father and married his mother. The prophecy he and his father had tried to avoid has come true. |
| Nemesis | Fate that Cannot be Avoided | Oedipus’s fate is prophesied as a newborn, he tries to escape it, but by his actions works against his own interests. |
| Catharsis | Audience's Feeling of Pity or Fear After the Hero's Fall | The audience see Oedipus, a flawed but still great man, brought low by fate. They pity his tragic circumstances and feel fear that their own hubris or anger could lead to catastrophe. |
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows how Oedipus can be considered a tragic hero.
- Identify events of the play or characteristics of Oedipus that fit into Aristotelian attributes of a tragic hero.
- Illustrate examples for Hamartia, Hubris, Peripeteia, Anagnorisis, Nemesis, and Catharsis.
- Write a short description below each cell that specifically relates Oedipus as a tragic hero.
Lesson Plan Reference
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/2] Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/3] Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme
- [ELA-Literacy/W/9-10/1] Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tragic Hero Characteristics | The six tragic hero characteristics are correctly identified and portrayed from the story. The explanation provided explains how the scenes depict each characteristic, and shows effective analysis. | Four or five tragic hero characteristics are correctly identified and portrayed from the story, or some of the elements may not be identified correctly. The explanations give context to the scene, but may be minimal, and there is some attempt at analysis. | Two or three tragic hero characteristics are correctly identified and portrayed from the story, or most of the elements are inaccurately depicted. The quotes and/or explanations are too minimal. | One or fewer tragic hero characteristics are correctly identified and portrayed from the story, or most of the elements are inaccurately depicted. The quotes and/or explanations are minimal or missing altogether. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes are accurate to the work of literature. Time and care is taken to ensure that the scenes are neat, eye-catching, and creative. | The art chosen to depict the scenes should be accurate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. Scene constructions are neat, and meet basic expectations. | The art chosen to depict the scenes is inappropriate. Scene constructions are messy and may create some confusion. | The art chosen to depict the scenes is too limited or incomplete. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. There are few or no grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas are mostly organized. There are some grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas may be disorganized or misplaced. Lack of control over grammar, mechanics, and spelling reflect a lack of proofreading. | Storyboard text is difficult to understand. |
How To Analyze Oedipus as a Tragic Hero
Explain Tragic Heroes
Begin by explaining the concept of tragic heroes to the students. Explain how these heroes have a challenge or a flaw they have to face but in the end, their fate is tragic and they are bound to suffer. Start the discussion by asking students why they think tragic heroes are created in literature and their contributions.
Discuss Fate of Tragic Heroes
Talk about Oedipus' conflict with the element of fate. He finally fulfills the predictions despite his efforts to modify his destiny, underscoring the inevitable nature of some occurrences. Have a detailed discussion on the element of fate in the lives of tragic heroes.
Discuss the Attributes
Explain to the students the attributes of a tragic hero and common elements such as the downfall, the flaw, and the tragedy. Ask the students to analyze if Oedipus fits this description and why these attributes constitute the criteria of a tragic hero.
Reflect on His Journey
Ask the students to reflect on Oedipus’ journey as a tragic hero and if things could have gone differently during his journey. Encourage the students to discuss their thoughts and what they have learned so far about tragic heroes.
Make Comparisons With Other Tragic Heroes
Encourage your students to draw comparisons between Oedipus and other historical tragic figures, such as those from Shakespearean or other Greek writers. Compare and contrast their catastrophic shortcomings and failings. Ask the students to note down the similarities and differences they find in the journeys of these tragic heroes using a Venn Diagram.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oedipus as a Tragic Hero
Briefly explain the concept of a tragic hero.
A tragic hero is a figure who has a fatal fault or hamartia and is frequently of noble birth. All the tragic heroes such as Hamlet and Caesar possess a tragic flaw that leads to their downfall, suffering, and eventually their tragic deaths. Due to the numerous efforts of these heroes, the audience feels sympathy and pity towards them which classifies them as heroes.
How does Oedipus' quest for the truth result in his demise?
Oedipus eventually discovers his horrible identity as the killer of his own biological father and the husband of his biological mother thanks to his tireless quest for the truth. His defeat and self-inflicted punishment result from this realization.
What kind of tragic flaw does Oedipus possess which leads to his tragic ending?
The tragic defect of Oedipus is his overwhelming arrogance or hubris. He is determined to find the truth about his fate and the murder of King Laius because of his excessive pride which leads him to his own tragic ending.
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