Unraveling the 5 Classic Tragic Hero Traits: Oedipus Revisited in 2022

Abstract

NOTES ON THE TOP FIVE CHARACTER TRAITS OF THE CLASSICAL TRAGIC HERO (OEDIPUS)—REVISED & UPDATED, 2022 The Classical Hero is said to possess FIVE CHARACTER TRAITS, which be: High-Standing (Socially, Financially, Leadership or Administratively) in His Community; Character Defect or Flaw; Downfall from High Position; Others suffering from Hero’s flaws and actions; Epiphany or Awakening to the Tragedy Caused by Hero The Hero (Protagonist) in Classical Drama is first and foremost a Man of High-Standing. Typically, he is at the top of his society, at the apex of the pyramid. He may be a king (as is Oedipus) or a commanding army general or navy admiral (as is Othello). If he is not at the pinnacle of society, then he is very close to the pinnacle. He may be a prince (as is Hamlet) or a great warrior upon whom an army depends (as is Achilles). The Hero has wealth and its concomitant power, so that his influence is very widely and deeply felt by others. The Hero is possessed of a Character Defect or Fatal Flaw. This is a trait in his character which becomes his chief problem, for the defect gets in the way of his ability to govern himself and thence his kingdom (or others) effectively. In ancient Greek, this flaw is called hamartia, and the word best translates into ‘sin’. The Hero will certainly have at least one such flaw, and in many cases, will have multiple flaws. The more flaws he has, the more complex will be his character, and the more complicated and layered will be his conduct in the drama. Below are several common examples of Tragic Hero flaws: Anger or Bad Temper or Irrationality—e.g. Oedipus from our play; Jealousy—e.g. Othello from Shakespeare’s play; Lust and/or Greed(Concupiscience—Improper Desire)—e.g. MacBeth from Shakespeare’s play; Pride—the belief that one has only himself to consider as the final authority in decision-making—i.e. there is no regard or scant regard for ‘God’—e.g. King David from the Hebrew Bible. The Hero does, of course, possess good qualities, but these tend to be outweighed by his flaw(s), so that he is imbalanced, out...