The Athenian tragedy Oedipus Tyrannus by Sophocles is very clear about the fate that awaits the king from the day he enters the world. The choices he made to escape the prophecy about his life did little to prevent his tragic end. However, in my opinion, Oedipus was as much a hero as he was a tragedian. A hero is a person well regarded for his great achievements and talents, who shows great courage in the face of adversity or danger. The following essay will explain the heroism in the king's choices, behavior, and ultimate goal. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Throughout his life, Oedipus is seen as a virtuous man and tries to do the right thing for his family and people. He is endlessly haunted by the evil that Laius, his father, had devised, and in doing so, he attracts the very fate he is trying so hard to avoid. In the opening act of the play, King Oedipus speaks to his citizens with a worried attitude about the plague. He is considered a hero by his people as he had previously taken down the curse of the Sphinx. The only reason the common people try to get relief from him is because he is a respected and morally upright man who loves his people. Sophocles describes the king as a humble man who converses regularly with his people. The fact that he had already addressed the complaint of the plague by sending Creon to the oracle, even before the postulants arrived, shows that he was genuinely concerned. The second reason that elevates Oedipus to the position of a hero is the fact that he was willing to deal with the murderer who polluted the city of Thebes. He persevered in his quest to discover the truth of the matter despite pleas from Jocasta, his wife, and his mother, to stop. After realizing and having further confirmation that he was the one who killed Laius, his father, and his daughters' half-brother, he subjects himself to a fate far worse than death, a life as a blind and poor beggar. plays "Oedipus Tyrannus", the king begs his people to banish him. The desperation of being banished from Thebes arouses sympathy towards Oedipus. The fact remains that he was predestined to kill his father and sleep with his mother (Plumptre). He is impartial and just enough to proceed and condemn himself to a good punishment for his mistakes even if he is truly a victim of circumstances. Seeing himself as the reason for the popular plague, he asks to be exiled forever so that his people can once again be free from contamination. This sentence shows the fairness and extent of man's moral decency. He is shocked to realize that he, the highly esteemed king in society, committed all the atrocities that caused the plague. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In conclusion, Oedipus is depicted as a strong, caring, and powerful leader who is simply a victim of fate. The truth is that he is human and bound to be at fault, both regarding emotions like anger and love, and regarding his error in judgment. Although Oedipus is a great man of the people, he too has his flaws. For example, his anger that leads him to kill Laius, the man who had refused to give him passage at the crossroads, without his father even knowing. He is also very proud, as seen in the way he treated Tiresias, the blind seer. He is also very distrustful and suspicious of everyone, even his relatives like Creon. However, I believe that the choices he made after the mistakes are the decisive moments of his character. Oedipus is in fact a tragic hero above all because his story arouses pity and he is a victim of.