Oedipus As A Plot Driven Tragedy
...but in the formulation of a specific plot structure. Aristotle believed that the purpose of all art is to imitate life and that human beings live their lives through events and actions. He argues that characters serve to advance the events of the plotline and that the characters themselves are not central. Aristotle's opinions on tragedy were largely constructed around Sophocles' Oedipus the King, which Aristotle called "the perfect tragedy." Considered by many to be one of the greatest plays of all time, Oedipus the King tells how Oedipus, the king of Thebes, comes to realize that he unknowingly killed his father and married his mother and shows the tragic aftermath of this realization.
The play opens with Oedipus addressing the citizens of Thebes who have gathered outside the palace. The audience learns that a plague
has stricken Thebes and that Oedipus has sent his brother-in-law, Creon, to the Oracle of Delphi to learn how he might save the city. Creon returns and tells Oedipus that the Oracle has said that the plague will end when the murderer of Laius, the former king, is caught and banished from the city. Oedipus vows to cast out the murderer and save the city.
Following Creon's recommendation, Oedipus sends for Tiresias, a blind prophet, and asks for information regarding the murder. Tiresias reluctantly declares that Oedipus himself is the murderer. Oedipus sends Tiresias away in rage, but before he leaves Tiresias says that the murderer of Laius is both the father and brother to his own children and the son of his own wife.
Oedipus summons Creon and accuses him of conspiring with Tiresias against him and threatens him with death or exile. Jocasta, Oedipus's wife, enters and asks why the men are fighting. Jocasta reassures Oedipus saying that prophecies cannot be trusted. She
sites as proof a prophecy given by the oracle of Delphi who...
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