Oedipus, a tragic heroOedipus is the classic story of a tragic hero trying to thwart the forces of evil around him and being unable to do so. Lies and deception are at the very heart of the play, and for this reason alone, it is no surprise that he is unable to defeat the demonic forces that exist with him in his world. However, there is more at work in the play than simple lies and deception. There is also Sophocles' analysis of an unnatural relationship between a father and son, and the ultimate consequences that this relationship engenders. Let's analyze Aristotle's definition of a tragic hero. He felt that there are four things that make up a tragic character. “1) The hero must be good, whatever his situation in life. 2) The character must be adapted to the hero. 3) The character must be true to life. , and4) Character must be consistent. His actions must have an understandable motivation. (Aristotle, PG). He then proposes three additional distinctions: that the hero be well known, to the aristocracy; that the combination of character and plot is credible; that the character is faithful to reality, but larger than life, more beautiful. Oedipus meets these requirements of a tragic hero in that he is fundamentally a good, albeit misguided, man who makes serious mistakes in his life – as all men do. However, he evolves to become much more than what he appeared to be at the beginning, as he realized his mistakes by the end of the play and resolutely went to face his self-imposed fate of banishment. Aristotle's requirement for goodness, Oedipus has a strong conscience, even if it is not easily recognizable at first. While it is shown at the beginning of ...... middle of paper ...... seniors, but for the sake of Theseus who sent it here to hear from me. He would never have heard my voice again; but now he will obtain this parting grace, an answer which will bring him little joy. O scoundrel, when you had the sovereignty that your brother now holds in your place, did you not chase me away, your own father, exiled, without a city, and make us wear this beggar's clothing, you cry to see, now you yourself have come to my sad fate? There is nothing here for tears; I must bear it until death…” (Sophocles, pp. 108, lines 1-13). By examining the treatment of the father/son relationship, we see how the forces that, once set in motion, grow beyond the capacity of any man. to control them. The forces of Good reap a beneficial conclusion, while the forces of Evil reap only the double tragedy of death and destruction, teaching a profound lesson to each of us..