Oedipus Rex is an excellent example of tragedy. It has all the elements of what we think a tragedy is. The main focus of this tragedy is how you can't avoid your fate.
Oedipus is the king of Thebes and this position was rewarded to him because he solved the sphinx's riddle. When he learns that his predecessor, Laius, was murdered, he wants to avenge him in order to end the plague across his land. But here is where the plot twist comes in. A prophecy foretold that Oedipus would kill his father and marry his mother so he stayed away from the people who raised him. On his journey to Thebes, he unknowingly kills Laius and later marries his wife, Jocasta. But what Oedipus doesn't know that he was adopted, and that his real parents are Laius and Jocasta. This is where the idea of you can't avoid your fate comes in. He tried to avoid the prophecy and it still happened anyway. The tragedy continues when the truth comes out; Jocasta kills herself in shame and grief. Oedipus then takes some of her pins from her robes and stabs himself in his eyes. The ending furthers the point that this story is a tragedy. Death is a good indicator but Oedipus' reaction and mutilation of himself is also a good thing to see.
Tragedy is about the plot, but it is more about how the characters grow from their experiences. Oedipus went from a prideful king to a blind common man. With the truth he wanted, he also got his own story with its own horrors.
This play is clearly a tragedy. The plot and the growth of the characters is a big indicator to this. This story is not sad per se, but more you feel pity towards Oedipus. He tried everything in his power to avoid his tragic fate, but the horrors happened anyway. This is true for the real world too. Sometimes you can't avoid your fate.
Oedipus is the king of Thebes and this position was rewarded to him because he solved the sphinx's riddle. When he learns that his predecessor, Laius, was murdered, he wants to avenge him in order to end the plague across his land. But here is where the plot twist comes in. A prophecy foretold that Oedipus would kill his father and marry his mother so he stayed away from the people who raised him. On his journey to Thebes, he unknowingly kills Laius and later marries his wife, Jocasta. But what Oedipus doesn't know that he was adopted, and that his real parents are Laius and Jocasta. This is where the idea of you can't avoid your fate comes in. He tried to avoid the prophecy and it still happened anyway. The tragedy continues when the truth comes out; Jocasta kills herself in shame and grief. Oedipus then takes some of her pins from her robes and stabs himself in his eyes. The ending furthers the point that this story is a tragedy. Death is a good indicator but Oedipus' reaction and mutilation of himself is also a good thing to see.
Tragedy is about the plot, but it is more about how the characters grow from their experiences. Oedipus went from a prideful king to a blind common man. With the truth he wanted, he also got his own story with its own horrors.
This play is clearly a tragedy. The plot and the growth of the characters is a big indicator to this. This story is not sad per se, but more you feel pity towards Oedipus. He tried everything in his power to avoid his tragic fate, but the horrors happened anyway. This is true for the real world too. Sometimes you can't avoid your fate.