Author(s)

Chunfen Feng

Corresponding Author

Chunfen Feng

Abstract

The paper analyzes Sophocles’ play, Oedipus the King. The major character, Oedipus, becomes a victim of human free will instead of a victim of fate. Certain kinds of behavior, certain choices, lead to certain consequences and the ends of the tragedies give meaning to all that preceded them. This character’s errors and weaknesses, such as, his rash flee from Corinth, his ambition to be equal to the god, his hot temper to attack an old man, his pursuit of power and honor, his lack of careful thinking, lead him into misfortune. Our modern conception of tragedy and the ‘tragic flaw’of the hero usually involves the concept of hubris, or overweening pride, that leads to disaster.

Keywords

Oedipus, Victim, Free will.